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PRINCETON    .    NEW  JERSEY 


PRESENTED  BY 

Mrs.  Frank  Harrington 

BX  8070  .L7  S35  1915 
Luther,  Martin,  1483-1546. 
Catechisations  on  Luther's 
small  catechism 


Catechisations 


Luther's  Small  Catechism 


REV.  H.  J/SCHUH 


A  Helper  for  Teachers  of  the  Catechism  Classes  in 
Sunday  Schools  and  for  Pastors  and   Parish 
School  Teachers  in  their  Cate- 
chetical Work 


Lutheran  Book  Concern 

Columbus,  Ohio 
191") 


PREFACE. 


TTie  Sunday-school  is  the  principal  agency  of  religious  instruc- 
tion for  the  vast  majority  of  the  children  of  our  church.  Thousands 
of  them  can  not  be  reached  by  us  through  any  other  means.  It 
therefore  stands  to  reason  that  we  must  put  forth  every  effort  to 
make  the  teaching  of  our  Sunday-school  just  as  effective  as  we  can 
possibly  make  it.  J^uther's  Smaller  Catechism  is  the  best  text  book 
for  religious  instruction  that  has  yet  been  offered  to  the  church.  For 
nearly  400  years  it  has  held  this  place  in  our  church  and  millions 
have  drank  this  "milk  of  the  Gospel"  as  the  very  best  food  for 
spiritual  babes.  The  Catechism  is  the  true  "mother-milk"  for 
Lutheran  children. 

One  of  the  weaknesses  of  our  Sunday-school  teaching  has 
hitherto  been  that  it  made  too  little  use  of  this  "Layman's  Bible." 
Luther  placed  over  each  one  of  the  chief  parts  the  words:  "As  the 
head  of  the  family  should  teach  them  in  all  simplicity  to  his  house- 
hold." If  the  head  of  the  average  family  is  expected  to  teach  the 
catechism  it  is  certainly  not  asking  too  much  of  the  average  Sunday- 
school  teacher  to  teach  it.  What  more  important  things  can  we 
teach  children  than  the  Ten  Commandments,  the  Creed,  the  Lord's 
Prayer  aind  the  Sacraments? 

Let  us  not  overlook  the  importance  of  memory  work.  Memory 
is  about  the  first  mental  faculty  that  begins  to  develop  in  the  child, 
and  it  should  be  given  first  attention.  Teach  the  infant  classes  the 
Ten  Commandments,  and  the  Lord's  Prayer.  Then  go  on  to  the  Creed. 
After  this  let  the  primary  classes  memorize  a  few  of  the  simpler 
proof  passages  under  the  Ten  Commandments  and  the  Creed.  Our 
Book  Concern  is  publishing  these  passages  in  card  form,  selected 
according  to  the  age  and  ability  of  the  scholar.  Let  the  intermediate 
classes  go  on  and  memorize  Luther's  explanation  of  the  Command- 
ments, the  Creed  and  the  Lord's  Prayer.  TTien  go  on  in  the  more 
advanced  classes  with  the  Sacraments.  Thus  in  a  few  years  the 
whole  text  of  the  Catechism  and  all  the  principal  proof  passages 
will  have  been  committed  to  memory. 

But  we  believe  more  can  be  done  to  teach  the  Catechism  in  the 
Sunday-school  than  mere  memory  work.  The  Pastor  should  catechise 
the  whole  school  on  some  portion  of  the  Catechism  every  Sunday. 
And  teachers  of  more  advanced  classes  can  very  profitably  make 
use  of  the  Catechism  as  a  text  book.  This  volume  of  catechisations 
has  been  prepared  as  an  aid  to  teachers  in  this  work.  It  presupposes 
scholars  of  the  age  of  about  thirteen  or  fourteen  years  who  have 
studied  Bible  History  and  memorized  the  text  of  the  Catechism  and 
its  chief  proof  passages.  It  is  intended  as  an  illustration  of  how  to 
teach  the  Catechism  in  the  Sunday-school.  Each  scholar  should  have 
a  copy  of  the  Catechism  published  by  our  Ohio  Synod,  to  which  the 
numbers  in  parentheses  refer,  and  also  a  Bible  for  ready  reference. 
The  looking  up  of  proof  passages  is  of  the  greatest  importance.  Our 
children  should  get  better  acquainted  with  their  Bibles  and  a  little 
practice  will  enable  them  to  turn  to  any  passage  at  a  moment's 
notice. 

If,  incidentally,  the  author  has  done  his  bi-ethren  in  the  ministry 
a  favor  in  preparing  these  catechisations,  and  they  find  them  helpful 
in  their  catechetical  work,  it  would  be  a  source  of  great  satisfaction, 
as  there  is  a  wonderful  dearth  of  practical  literature  of  this  kind 
in  the  English  language.  ]\Iay  God  l)less  our  efforts  to  bring  up  the 
children  entrusted  to  us  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord. 

Anna,    Ohio,   July   30th,    1914.  THE   AUTHOR. 

(3) 


NTRODUCTORY  QUESTIONS. 


LESSON   1.     RELIGION. 

(Questions  1  and  2.) 

1.  (1)     Read  the  first  question  in  the  second  part  of  your  Catechism. 

"What  is  your  faith?" 

2.  What  is  the  subject  of  this  question?     The  subject  of  this  ques- 

tion  is  faith. 

3.  To  what  have  we  reference,  when  we  speak  of  men  as  Christian, 

Mohammedan  or  Heathen?     We  have  reference  to  their  faith. 

4.  Give  me  another  word  for  "Faith."     The  word  "Religion." 

5.  When  we  look  around  us  in  the  world,  what  do  we  see?     We  see 

trees,  animals,  hills,  rivers  and  men. 

6.  How  do  we  see  these  things?     We  see  them  with  our  eyes. 

7.  What  do  we  call  the  power  by  which  we  see?     We  call  it  sight. 

8.  Sight  is   one   of  the  senses.     How  many  senses   have  we?     We 

have  five  senses. 

9.  Name  them.     Seeing,  hearing,  feeling,  smelling  and  tasting. 

10.  By  these  senses   we  learn  to  know  the   world.     Who  made   the 

world?     God   made  the  world. 

11.  Read  the  Scripture  passage.  Ps.  104,  24.     "O  Lord,  how  manifold 

are  thy  works!  In  wisdom  hast  thou  made  them  all;  the 
earth   is  full  of  thy  riches." 

12.  Of  whom  should  we  think  when   we  look   upon  all  these  things 

around  us?     We  should  think  of  God  who  made  them. 

13.  Yes.  and   we  should   not  only  think   of  him,  but  learn  to  know 

him.  Arithmetic,  geography,  and  the  like,  teach  us  concern- 
ing God's  works.  But  what  does  religion  teach  us?  It 
teaches  us  concerning  God. 

14.  But  religion   is  more  than   mere  teaching.     With  whom  does  it 

unite  us?     It  unites  us  with  God. 

15.  Read  the  passage,  Ps.  103,  13.     "Like  as  a  father  pitieth  his  chil- 

dren, so  the  Lord  pitieth  them  that  fear  him." 

16.  With  what  is  the  relation  between  God  and  us  here  compared? 

With  the  relation  between  a  father  and  his  children. 

17.  What    does    true    religion    teach    and    bring   about?     The    proper 

relation  between  God  and   man. 

18.  Now.    what   do    we    call    ourselves,    according   to   the   answer   to 

Question  1,  in  the  Catechism?     We  call  ourselves  Christians. 

19.  After  whom  do  we  call  ourselves  Christians?     We  call  ourselves 

Christians  after  Christ. 

20.  Why  do  we  call  ourselves  after  Him?     Because  he  is  the  founder 

of  our  religion. 

21.  What  religion  is  it  which  we  confess?     We  confess  the  Christian 

religion, 

22.  What  other  religions  are   there   besides   the   Christian  religion? 

Thp  Jewish,   Mohammedan,  and  the  Pagan  religions. 

(&) 


6  LESSON    I. 

23.  How  many  true  religions  are  there?     There  is  but  one. 

24.  Which  is  this?     The  Christian   religion. 

25.  Then  what  are  all  the  others?     All  others  are  false  religions. 

26.  Open    your   Bibles    and    read    the   last    sentence    of   the    passage 

Acts  11,  26.  "And  the  disciples  were  called  Christians  first 
in  Antioch." 

27.  Where  were  the  disciples  first  called  Christians?     In  the  city  of 

Antioch.' 

28.  Where  is  Antioch?     Antioch  is  in  Syria. 

29.  Who  were  called   Christians?     The  disciples  were   called   Chris- 

tians. 

30.  What    does    the    word    "disciple"    mean?       It    means    scholar    or 

follower. 

31.  Whose  disciples  or  followers  are  here  meant?     The  disciples  of 

Christ. 

32.  What  does  the  term  "disciples  of  Christ"  mean?     Those  who  be- 

lieve in  and  follow  him. 

33.  (2)     The  second  question  in  the  catechism  reads:  "Why  are  you  a 

Christian?"  Read  the  answer.  "Because  I  believe  in  God 
the  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost,  and  am  baptised  in  His 
name." 

34.  In  whom  do  you  believe?     I  believe  in  God,  the  Father,  Son  and 

Holy   Ghost. 

35.  Read  the  first  four  words  of  this  answer.     "I  believe  in  God." 

36.  In  whose  existence  do  you  believe?     I    believe   in   the   existence 

of  God. 

37.  What   do   we   call    people   who   do   not   believe   in   the   existence 

of  God?     We  call  them  unbelievers,  infidels,  atheists. 

38.  Open  your  Bibles  again,  and  read  the  passage  "Ps.  14,  1."     "The 

fool  hath  said  in  his  hearty  There  is  no  God." 

39.  What  do  the  Scriptures  call  such  people  who  deny  the  existence 

of  God?     They  call  them  fools. 

40.  Who  is  the  God  in  whom  j^ou  believe?     God  the  Father,  Son  and 

Holy  Ghost. 

41.  How  many  Gods  are  there?     There  is  one  God. 

42.  But  why  do  you  mention  three  names?     Because  there  are  three 

persons  in  God. 

43.  Yes,  there  are  three,  and  yet  there  is  but  one.     Let  me  give  you 

a  word  that  expresses  this  thought.  The  word  "Triune." 
What  does  the  first  syllable  of  this  word  stand  for?  It  stands 
for  three. 

44.  And  what  does  the  second  syllable  stand  for?     It  stands  for  one. 

45.  What,    then,    does    the    word    "Triune"    mean?     It    means    three 

in  one. 

46.  What  do  you  call  people  who  believe  in  the  Triune  God?     We 

call  them  Christians. 

47.  What  do  the  various  pagan  religions  teach  with  reference  to  the 

number  of  Gods?     They  teach  that  there  are  many  Gods. 

48.  What    does    the    Christian    religion    teach?     It    teaches    there    is 

one  God. 

49.  Jews  and  Mohammedans  also  teach  there  is  one  God.  but  what 

do  they  deny?     They  deny  that  there  are  three  persons. 


Lesson  2.  7 

50.  What   religion    alone    teaclies    that    God    is    three   in    one?     The 

Christian    religion. 

51.  In  the  Catechism,  Answer  2,  there  is  another  reason  given  for 

your  l)eing  a  Christian.  What  is  it?  "I  am  baptised  in 
His  name." 

52.  In    whose    name    are    you    baptised?     In    the    name    of    God    the 

Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost. 

53.  When  were  you  baptised?     1  was  baptised  In  infancy. 

54.  Wliat  did  you  become  througli  baptism?     I   became  a  Christian. 

55.  Wliat    important    command    did    the    Savior    give    liis    Apostles? 

Matt.  28,  19.  "Go  ye,  therefore,  and  teach  all  nations,  bap- 
tising them  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and 
of  the   Holy  Ghost." 

56.  The  expression  "teach"  here  means,  make  disciples,  christianize 

all  nations.  How  then  were  the  disciples  to  make  Christians 
of  all  nations?  By  baptising  them  in  the  name  of  the  Triune 
God. 

57.  What  else  did  the  Savior  command  in  the  last  verse  of  that  chap- 

ter? "Teaching  them  to  observe  all  things  whatsoever  I 
have  commanded  you." 

58.  What  were  the  apostles  to  do  with  those  who  had  been  baptised? 

They  were  to  teach  them  all  that  the  Savior  had  commanded. 

59.  This  is  the  order  which  we  observe  with  you,  children;   first  you 

were  made  Christians  through  baptism,  now  you  are  being 
taught  the  faith  or  religion  in  which  you  were  baptised. 
What  religion  is  this?     It  is  the  Christian  Religion. 


LESSON  2.     THE  CATECHISM. 

(Question  3.) 

1.  (3)   "What  do   you   believe   concerning  God   the   Father,   son   and 

Holy  Ghost?"  "All  that  is  contained  In  the  five  chief  parts 
of  Christian  doctrine,  or  in  the  Catechism." 

2.  When  the  Savior  was  twelve  years  old  he  accompanied  his  par- 

ents to  Jerusalem,  and  when  they  returned  the  child  .Jesus 
tarried  behind  in  the  city.  Where  did  his  parents  find  him 
when  they  went  back  seeking  him?  They  found  him  in  the 
Temple. 

3.  In  whose  company  was  he?     He  was  with  the  doctors. 

4.  These    doctors    were    teachers.     What    were    they    doing    in    the 

temple?     They  were  teaching  the  word  of  God. 

5.  So   what  does    the   title   "Doctor"   mean   in   the    Scriptures?       It 

means  a  teacher. 

6.  If  "Doctor"  means  a  teacher,  then  what  does  "Doctrine"  mean? 

It  means  that  which   is  taught. 

7.  What  doctrine  is  it  that  is  spoken  of  in  the  answer  to  question 

3?     It  is  the  Christian  doctrine. 

8.  The  word  "Christian"  is  taken  from  what  other  word?     From  the 

word  "Christ." 

9.  Why  is  this  doctrine  that  is  contained  in  the  Catechism   called 

"Christian"?     Because  Christ  taught  it. 
10.     To  whom  did  Christ  teach  this  doctrine?       He  taught  it  to  his 
disciples. 


8  LESSON   2. 

11.  What  were  the  disciples  to  do  with  this  doctrine?     They  were  to 

teach  it  to  others. 

12.  Yes,  and  they  again  to  others.     And  so  you  are  being  taught  in 

accordance  with  the  will  and  command  of  the  Savior.  But 
this  doctrine  is  called  Christian  not  only  because  Christ  is 
its  author,  but  because  He  is  its  chief  contents.  Who  is  the 
great  center  and  heart  of  Christian  doctrine?  Our  Lord 
Jesus  .Christ. 

13.  Turn  to  1  Cor.  1,  23,  and  read  what  the  apostle  says  about  his 

preaching.     "We  preach  Christ  and  him  crucified." 

14.  Whom  did  the  apostle  preach  and  teach?     He  preached  Christ. 

15.  Yes,  Jesus  Christ,  as  the  only  Savior  of  sinful  men,  was  the  bur- 

den of  all  his  preaching.  What  doctrine  did  he  teach?  He 
taught  the  Christian  doctrine. 

16.  This  doctrine   we   still  teach   and   preach.     How  many  parts   of 

Christian  doctrine  are  there?  There  are  five  chief  parts  of 
Christian  doctrine. 

17.  What  kind  of  parts  do  we  call  them?     We  call  them  chief  parts. 

18.  Why  do  we  call  them  chief  parts?     Because  they  are  the  prin- 

cipal, the  most  important  parts. 

19.  Yes,  they  are  the  things  which  every  Christian  should  know,  be- 

lieve and  practice.  If  we  are  really  Christians  we  should 
know  the  chief  parts  of  Christian  doctrine.  In  what  little 
book  are  these  five  chief  parts  of  Christian  doctrine  set  be- 
fore us  and  explained?     In  the  Catechism. 

20.  There  are  different  ways  of  teaching.     When  a  minister  of  the 

Gospel  preaches  from  the  pulpit  he  teaches,  and  what  do  the 
people  do?     They  listen. 

21.  But  when  a  teacher  instructs  children,  how  does  he  go  about  it? 

He  asks  questions. 

22.  And  what  do  the  children  do?     They  answer. 

23.  What  do  we  call  this  method  of  teaching  by  means  of  questions 

and  answers?     We  call  it  catechising. 

24.  What  do  we  call  a  text-book  which   follows  this   method?     We 

call   it  a  Catechism. 

25.  Now  turn  to  the  title  page  of  the  first  part  of  your  Catechism, 

page  5,  and  read  the  first  word.     "Enchiridion." 

26.  This  means  a  manual,  a  hand-book.     For  what  purpose  do  we  use 

manuals  or  hand-books?     For  the  purpose  of  instruction. 

27.  Then  why  is  the  Catechism  called  a  manual?     Because   it   is  a 

hand-book  for  instruction. 

28.  For   what  kind   of  instruction   is   the   Catechism  to   be  a  hand- 

book?    For  religious  instruction. 

29.  What  do  we  propose  to  teach  by  means  of  the  Catechism?     The 

Christian  religion. 

30.  What   catechism    is   it    that   we   have    before    us?     The    Smaller 

Catechism. 

31.  Whose    smaller   catechism    is    it?     Dr.    Martin    Luther's    smaller 

catechism. 

32.  What  other  Catechism  did  Luther  write  besides  this  smaller  Cate- 

chism?    The  Larger  Catechism. 

33.  Tell  me  from  the  title,  page  5,  for  whom  did  Luther  write  this 

smaller  Catechism?     For  Pastors  and  preachers. 


LESSON    2.  y 

34.  What  purpose  was  it  to  serve?     It  was  to   be  a   hand-book  for 

pastors  and  preachers  to  be  used  when  they  instructed  chil- 
dren in  the  Christian  religion. 

35.  Whose  duty  is  it  first  of  all  to  teach  children  the  Christian  re- 

ligion?    It  is  the  duty  of  parents. 

36.  Read    what   the   apostle    says    on   this    subject,    Eph.    6,    4.     "Ye 

fathers,  provoke  not  your  children  to  wrath,  but  bring  them 
up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord." 

37.  Luther  reminds  parents  of  this  duty  in  the  words  he  places  at 

the  head  of  each  one  of  the  five  chief  parts.  Read  these 
words,  page  13.  "The  Ten  Commandments,  as  the  head  of 
the  family  should  teach  them  in  all  simplicity  to  his  house- 
hold." 

38.  Do  parents,  as  a  rule,  teach  their  children  the  Catechism?    They 

do  not. 

39.  What  does  the  Savior  command  his  apostles  in  John  21,  the  last 

sentence  of  the  15th  verse.  "He  saith  unto  him.  Feed  my 
lambs." 

40.  Who  are  the  lambs  in  Christ's  flock?     They  are  the  children. 

41 .  Then  whose  duty  is  it,  next  to  that  of  the  parents,  to  teach  chil- 

dren the  Christian  religion?     It  is  the  duty  of  the  pastors. 

42.  Yes,   and    because  your   parents   have   not   the  time    and   often 

neither  the  ability  nor  the  willingness  to  teach  these  things, 
it  is  all  the  more  necessary  that  pastors  and  teachers  should 
do  it.  What  text-book  do  we  irse  for  this  religious  instruc- 
tion?    Luther's   Smaller  Catechism. 

43.  And  besides  the  smaller  Catechism,  which  we  have  in  the  first 

part  of  our  manual,  what  have  we  in  the  second  part?  Read 
from  page  45.  "Short  explanation  of  the  doctrinal  parts  of 
the  Catechism." 

44.  This  second  part  is  intended  to  lead  us  to  a  better  understand- 

ing of  the  Catechism.  It  is  based  on  and  follows  Luther's 
smaller  Catechism.  What  induced  Luther  to  write  his 
smaller  Catechism?  Read  from  the  preface,  page  7.  "The 
deplorable  destitution  which  I  recently  observed,  during  a 
visitation  of  the  churches,  has  impelled  and  constrained  me 
to  prepare  this  catechism  or  Christian  doctrine  Fn  such  a 
small  and  simple  form.  Alas,  what  manifold  misery  I  be- 
held! The  common  people,  especially  in  the  villages,  know 
nothing  at  all  of  Christian  doctrine  and  many  pastors  are 
quite  unfit  and  incompetent  to  teach." 

45.  This    Luther    wrote    in    1529.     What    was    the    condition    of    the 

church  at  that  time?  There  was  gross  ignorance  among 
both  pastors  and  people. 

46.  Yes,   and   not  only   gross   ignorance,   but  much   superstition    and 

false  doctrine.  What  great  work  did  Luther  accomplish  by 
the  help  of  God?  He  accomplished  the  work  of  the  Reforma- 
tion. 

47.  What  little  book  was  a  very  powerful  instrument  in  the  accom- 

plishment of  this  great  work?     The  smaller  Catechism. 

48.  What  useful  things  are  you  tauarbt  in  the  nubiif  schools?     Read- 

ing, writing,  arithmetic,  geography  and  the  like. 

49.  Why  is  it  so  important  that  vou  shnnbl  lenvn  these  things''     So 

that  we  may  get  along  well  in  the  world. 

50.  But   what    is    even    more   important    than    your    welfare   in    this 

world?     Our  welfare  in  the  world  to  copie, 


10  LESSON   3. 

51.  Where  are  you  taught  what  is  necessary  for  your  spiritual  and 

eternal    welfare?     In    church,    at    Sunday-school    and    in    the 
catechetical  class. 

52.  What  text-book  do  we  use  for  this   purpose?     Luther's   Smaller 

Catechism. 

53.  How,  then,  should  you  regard  the  study  of  the  Catechism?     We 

should  regard  it  as  very  important. 


LESSON  3.     THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES. 

(Questions  4-7.) 

1.  (4)   "Whence  is  the  catechism  taken?"     Give  me  the  answer  from 

question  4.     "From  the  Word  of  God  or  the  Bible." 

2.  The    word    "Bible"    means    book.     Why   is   this   book   called    the 

book?     Because  it  is  the  most   important  of  all  books. 

3.  Whose  word  is  the  Bible?     It  is  God's  word. 

4.  Who  speaks  to  us  In  the  Bible?     God  himself  speaks  to  us  in  the 

Bible. 

5.  (5)     Question  5  tells  us  why  we  call  the  Bible  the  word  of  God. 

Read  the  answer.  "Because  God  gave  it  in  writing  through 
the  prophets  in  the  Old  Testament  and  through  the  Evan- 
gelists and  Apostles  in  the  New." 

6.  A  word  may  bi-  spoken  or  written.     In  what  way  did  God  give 

us  his  word?     He  gave  it  in  writing. 

7.  What  name  of  the  Bible  expresses   this?     The    Holy  Scriptures. 

8.  What  advantage  is  there  in  giving  a  word  in  writing?     Writing 

preserves  and  keeps  it  from  change. 

9.  When  teaching  is  done  simply  by  word  of  mouth,  what  is  liable 

to  occur  as  the  matter  passes  from  one  person  to  another? 
Things  are  omitted,  changed  or  added. 

10.  What,  kind   of  things  are  usually  put  down  in  writing?     Impor- 

tant things,  such  as  deeds,  agreements,  wills,  contracts,  etc. 

11.  Yes,  God  had  something  very  important  to  tell  us,  and  so  he  had 

it  put  down  in  writing.  Who  were  the  men  through  whom 
God  gave  us  his  word  in  writing?  The  Prophets,  Evan- 
gelists and  Apostles. 

12.  How  did  these  men  write  what  is  recorded  in  the  Bible?     Give 

me  the  answer  by  repeating  the  passage  2  Peter  1,  21,  "But 
holy  men  of  God  spake  as  they  were  moved  by  the  Holy 
Ghost." 

13.  In  the  passage  2  Tim.  3,  15-17,  St.  Paul  tells  how  the  Holy  Scrip- 

tures were   given.     Look  at   the  passage  and   tell   me.     "All 

Scripture  is  given   by  inspiration  of  God." 
!14.     In  1  Cor.  2,  12-13,  the  apostle  tells  us  how  he  came  to  know  the 

things  which  he  spoke  and  wrote.     What  does  he  say?     "We 

know  the  things  that  are  freely  given  to  us  of  God." 
15.     How  came  these  men  to  know  the  things  which  they  taught  and 

wrote?     They  were  given  them  by  God. 
■"6.      4nd  what  does  the  apostle  say  about  the  words  in  which  they 

expressed    the    thoughts    that    were    given    them    by    God? 

"Which  things  also  we  speak,  not  in  the  words  which  man's 

wisdom  teacheth,  but  which  the  Holy  Ghost  teacheth." 


LESSON   3.  11 


17.  Yes,  not  only  the  thoughts  but  the  very  words  of  the  Bible  are 

inspired.  Therefore  what  do  we  properly  call  the  Bible? 
We  call  it  the  word  of  God. 

18.  Into  what  two  parts  is  the  Bible  divided?     Into  the  Old  and  New 

Testaments. 

19.  Name  the  books  of  the  Old  Testament.     You  will  find  them  in 

the  index  of  your  Bibles.  Genesis,  Exodus,  Leviticus,  Num- 
bers, Deuteronomy,  Joshua,  Judges,  Ruth,  1  Samuel,  2  Samuel, 
1  Kings,  2  Kings,  1  Chronicles,  2  Chronicles,  Ezra,  Nehemiah, 
Esther,  Job,  Psalms,  Proverbs.  Ecclesiastes,  The  Song  of 
Solomon,  Isaiah,  Jeremiah,  Lamentations,  Ezekiel,  Daniel, 
Hosea,  Amos,  Obadiah,  Jonah,  Micah,  Nahum,  Habakkuk, 
Zephaniah,  Haggai,  Zachariah,   Malachi. 

20.  The  books  of  the  Old  Testament  were  first  given  to  the  Jewish 

people.  Therefore  in  what  language  were  they  written?  In 
the  Jewish  or  Hebrew  language. 

21.  Name  the  books  of  the  New  Testament.     You  will  find  them  in 

the  index  to  your  Bibles.  The  Gospels  of  Matthew,  Mark, 
Luke  and  John,  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  the  Epistles  of  Paul 
to  the  Romans,  1  Corinthians,  2  Corinthians,  Galatians, 
Ephesians,  Philippians,  Colossians,  1  Thessalonians,  2  Thes- 
salonians,  1  Timothy,  2  Timothy,  Titus,  Philemon,  Hebrews, 
Epistle  of  James,  1  Peter,  2  Peter,  1  John,  2  John,  3  John, 
Jude,  Revelation. 

22.  At  the  time  when  the   New   Testament  was   written   the  Greek 

language  was  universally  known  by  men  of  letters,  therefore 
in  M^hat  language  were  these  writings  given?  They  were 
given  in  the  Greek  language. 

23.  The  books  of  the  Bibie  were  not  all  written  at  the  same  time. 

Between  the  first  and  last  there  lies  a  period  of  about  1,600 
years.  And  yet  they  not  only  all  have  the  same  divine  ori- 
gin, but  they  all  teach  the  same  doctrine.  What  is  it  that 
the  liOrd  teaches  us  in  the  Bible?  He  teaches  us  the  way 
of  salvation. 

24.  Repeat  the  Scripture  passage  2  Tim.  .3.  15-17.     "And  that  from  a 

child  thou  hast  known  the  Holy  Scriptures,  which  are  able 
to  make  thee  wise  unto  salvation  through  faith  which  is  in 
Christ  Jesus.  All  Scripture  is  given  by  inspiration  of  God 
and  is  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  correction,  for 
instruction  in  righteousness:  that  the  man  of  God  may  be 
perfect,  thoroughly  furnished  unto  all  good  works." 

25.  To  whom  did   St.  Paul  write  these  words?      He  wrote  them   to 

Timothy. 

26.  When  had  Timothy  begun  to  learn  the  Scriptures?     He  learned 

the  Scriptures  in  his  childhood. 

27.  It  is  well  for  children  to  learn  the  Scriptures  early.     What  did 

St.  Paul  say  the  Scriptures  were  able  to  do  for  his  young 
friend  Timothy?  He  said  they  were  able  to  make  him  wise 
unto  salvation. 

28.  And  what  is  the  way  of  salvation  as  taught  in  the  Scriptures? 

The  way  of  salvation  is  by  faith  in  Christ  Jesus. 

29.  The  apostle  here  also  tells  us  what  the  purpose  of  the  Bible  is. 

What  are  the  Scriptures  profitable  for?  "For  doctrine,  for 
reproof,  for  correction,  for   instruction    in    righteousness." 


12  Lesson  3. 

30.  The  apostle  talis  us  in  the  closing  clause  of  this  verse:     "That 

the  man  of  God  may  be  perfect,  thoroughly  furnished  unto 
all  good  works."  When  God  does  a  thing  he  does  it  right. 
What  else  do  we  need  beside  the  Holy  Scriptures  to  teach  us 
the  way  of  life?     We  need  nothing  else. 

31.  When  a  man  has  the  Bible,  how  is  he  furnished  with  reference 

to  life  and  godliness?  He  is  perfect,  thoroughly  furnished 
unto  all  good  works. 

32.  The  Bible  is  God's  word.     What  does   the  Savior  say  of  God's 

word.  John  17,  the  latter  part  of  the  17th  verse?  "Thy 
word  is  truth." 

33.  Yes,  when  God  says  a  thing  in  the  Bible  there  can  be  no  mistake 

about  it.  How  should  we,  therefore,  regard  the  teachings  of 
the  Bible?  We  should  regard  the  teachings  of  the  Bible  as 
absolutely  true. 

34.  When  there  seems  to  be  a  difference  between  the  teachings  of 

the  Bible  and  those  of  science,  which  of  the  two  should  we 
regard  as  correct?     The  teachings  of  the  Bible. 

35.  (6)     "What  are  the  five  chief  parts  of  Christian  doctrine?"     "The 

Ten  Commandments  the  Christian  Creed,  the  Lord's  Prayer, 
Holy  Baptism,  and  the  Lord's  Supper." 

36.  (7)     "What  is  in  general  the  right  use  and  benefit  of  all  these 

chief  parts"?  "That  we  learn  to  know:  1.  Who  we  are, 
and  how  we  stand  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  our  God;  2.  Who 
God  is,  and  how  we  may  become  reconciled  and  united  with 
Him." 

37.  Whom  are  we  to  learn  to  know  first  of  all?     We  are  to  learn  to 

know  ourselves. 

38.  Where  are  we  told  about  ourselves,  our  creation,  fall  into  sin,  re- 

demption, sanctification  and  eternal  salvation?  We  are  told 
these  things  in  the  Bible. 

39.  Who  certainly  knows  us  better  than  we  know  ourselves?     God, 

who  knows  all  things. 

40.  Where  does  God  teach  us  what  we  are?     In  the  Bible. 

41.  What  are  we  in  the  sight  of  a  holy  and  righteous  God?     We  are 

poor  sinners. 

42.  And  what  does  the  Bible  say  we  have  deserved  by  our  sins?     We 

have  deserved   punishment. 

43.  What  else  are  we  to  learn  from  the  five  chief  parts  of  Christian 

doctrine?  We  are  to  learn  who  God  is  and  how  we  may  be- 
come   reconciled  and   united  with   him. 

44.  How  has  God  revealed  himself  to  us  in  nature?     He  has  revealed 

himself  through   his  works. 

45.  Yes,  from  nature  we  learn  that  God  is  mighty,  wise  and  good. 

But  what  is  still  more  necessary  for  sinful  man  to  know? 
Tell  me  from  the  last  clause  of  the  answer  to  question  7. 
"How  we  may  become  reconciled  and  united  with  him." 

46.  Where  a  reconciliation  is  necessary  between  two  persons,  what 

relation  must  have  existed  between  them?  They  must  have 
been  enemies. 

47.  What   caused   this    enmity  between   God   and   men?     Sin    caused 

this  enmity. 

48.  What  do  we  call  a  man  who  stands  between  two  opposing  parties 

and  tries  to  make  peace?  We  call  him  a  peacemaker,  a 
mediator. 


LESSON  4.  13 

49.  Now  open  your  Bible  and  read  the  passage  1  Tim.  2,  5.  6.     "For 

there  is  one  God,  and  one  mediator  between  God  and  men, 
the  man  Christ  Jesus;  who  gave  himself  a  ransom  for  all,  to 
be  testified  in  due  time. 

50.  Who    is    the    one    mediator    between    God    and    men?     The    man 

Christ  Jesus. 

51.  Now  repeat  the  passage  John  5,  39.     "Search  the  Scriptures,  for 

in  them  ye  think  ye  have  eternal  life;  and  they  are  they 
which  testify  of  me." 

52.  What  does   the   Savior   here   mean   when  he   says,   "Search  the 

Scriptures"?     He  means  study  the  Scriptures. 

53.  What  are  we  to  find  in  the  Scriptures?     We  are  to  find  eternal 

life. 

54.  And  of  whom  do  they  testify?     They  testify  of  the  Savior. 

55.  Yes,  let  this  be  our  earnest  purpose  in  studying  the  Bible  and 

the  catechism  that  we  may  learn  to  know  and  believe  on  the 
Savior.  Who  then  is  the  great  center  and  heart  of  the 
Bible?     Our  Savior  Jesus  Christ. 

56.  But  let  us  not  only  hear  and  learn  the  word  of  God.     What  else 

is  necessary  in  order  that  we  may  become  truly  blessed? 
Tell  me  the  answer  by  repeating  Luke  11,  28.  "Blessed  are 
they  that  hear  the  word  of  God  and  keep  it." 

57.  What  does  the  Savior  here  mean  by  keeping  the  word  of  God? 

He   means   remembering   it  and  obeying    it. 

58.  Yes,  we  should  keep  God's  word  in  our  memory,  ])ut  where  else 

should  we  keep  it?     We  should  keep  it  in  our  hearts. 


OF  THE  FIRST  CHIEF  PART  OF  THE  CATECHISM  OR 
THE  HOLY  TEN  COMMANDMENTS. 

LESSON   4.     THE   LAW. 

(Questions   8-9.) 

1.  (8)     "What  is  the  first  chief  part  of  the  catechism?     "The   Holy 

Ten  Commandments." 

2.  What  are  these  commandments  called?     They  are  called  holy. 

3.  Who  gave  us  these  commandments?     God  gave  them. 

4.  What  quality  or  attribute  of  God  is  reflected  in  these  command- 

ments that  makes  them  holy?     His  holiness. 

5.  Then  what  is  one  reason  why  these   commandments  are   called 

holy?     Because   God,   who  gave  them,   is  holy. 

6.  Turn  to  Lev.  19,  2,  and  read  what  is  there  written.     "Ye  shall  be 

holy:  for  I,  the  Lord  your  God,  am  holy." 

7.  God  is  not  only   holy  himself,  but  what   does   he  require  of  us 

also?     He  requires  that  we  too  should  be  holy. 

8.  Yes,   and  this   requirement   of   God   is   set  before   us   in   the  ten 

commandments.  This,  then,  is  another  reason  why  the  com- 
mandments are  called  holy.  State  it.  Because  in  them  God 
asks  us  to  be  holy. 

9.  (9)     "What   are   the    holy   ten    commandments?"     "They    are    the 

sum  of  the  divine  law.,  which  God  at  creation  implanted  in 
man,  and  then   solemnly   repeated  on   Mt.  Sinai." 


14  LESSON   4. 

10.  What  is  set  before  us  in  tliese  commandments?     The  divine  laW. 

11.  What  is  a  commandment?     A  commandment  is  a   law. 

12.  What  does  a  law  tell  us?     It  tells  us  what  we  should  do. 

13.  And  when  a  law  forbids  us  certain  things,  what  does  it  tell  us? 

It  tells  us  what  we  should  not  do. 

14.  What  two   things   then   does   the   law   set  before  us?     What  we 

should  do  and  what  we  should   not  do. 

15.  A  lav/  lays  down  a  line  of  conduct.     When  you  want  to  draw  a 

straight  line,  what  do  you  use?     We  use  a  ruler. 

16.  Because  the  law  lays  down  a  straight  line  for  our  conduct,  what 

may  it  be  called?     It  may  be  called  a  rule. 

17.  What  law  is  it  that  is  contained  in  the  ten  commandments?     The 

divine  law. 

18.  Divine  law  means  whose  law?     God's  law. 

19.  Why  are  the  ten  commandments  called  the  divine  law?     Because 

God  gave  them. 

20.  Our  answer  to  question  9  does  not  simply  say  the  ten  command- 

ments are  the  divine  law,  but  what  else  does  it  say?  They 
are  the  sum  of  the  divine  law. 

21.  What  is  the  sum  of  two  or  more  numbers?     It  is  a  figure  that 

expresses  what  they  amount  to  when  added  up. 

22.  God  gave  many  laws,  but  in  what  short  form  does  he  give  the 

sum  and  substance  of  all  his  laws?  In  the  ten  command- 
ments. 

23.  Who  gave  us  this  law?     God  gave  it. 

24.  Why  has  God  a  right  to  give  us  a  law?     Because  he  is  the  Lord. 

25.  Yes,  he  is  the  Creator  and  Ruler  of  all  things,  and  what  do  we 

owe  him?     We  owe  him  obedience. 

26.  To  whom  did  God  give  this  law?     God  gave  this  law  to  man. 

27.  When  did  God  first  give  his  law  to  man?     He  first  gave   it  at 

creation. 

28.  How  did  God   give  man  his   law   at  creation?     He    implanted    it 

in  him. 

29.  Repeat   the   Scripture   passage   Rom.   2,   14.    15.     "For   when   the 

Gentiles  which  have  not  the  law,  do  by  nature  the  things 
contained  in  the  law,  these  having  not  the  law,  are  a  law 
unto  themselves;  which  show  the  work  of  the  law  written  in 
their  hearts,  their  conscience  also  bearing  witness,  and 
their  thoughts  the  meanwhile  accusing  or  else  excusing  one 
another." 

30.  When   the  Apostle   here   speaks  of  the   Gentiles    whom   does   he 

mean?     He  means  the  heathen. 

31.  When  he  says  they  have  not  the  law,  what  law  does  he  mean? 

He  means  the  ten  commandments. 

32.  And  yet  he  says  they  know  something  of  the  law.     He  even  says 

something  about  the  law's  being  written  for  them.  What 
does  he  say?     The  law  is  written  in  their  hearts. 

33.  At  creation  the  law  was  implanted  in  man's  heart.     What  does 

this  mean?     The  law  was  written  in  his  heart. 

34.  The   apostle   here    also   tells    us    how   the    Gentiles    do   the   law. 

What  does  he  say  about  it?  By  nature  they  do  the  things 
written  in  the  law. 

35.  Is  it  necessary  for  water  to  be  told  to  run  down  hill?     No,  be- 

cause it  does  so  by  nature,  of  its  own  accord. 


LESSON   4. 


15 


36.  Yes,  God  made  it  so.  It  is  the  nature  of  water  to  run  down  hill, 
of  fire  to  burn,  of  the  sun  to  shine.  What  did  man,  when 
he  was  first  created,  take  pleasure  in  doing?  He  took  pleas- 
ure in  doing  God's  will. 

.37.  Before  man  fell  into  sin  it  was  as  natural  for  him  to  do  right  as 
it  is  for  water  to  run  down  hill,  for  fire  to  burn,  for  the  sun 
to  shine.  But  man  is  no  longer  in  the  condition  in  which 
he  was  at  creation.  What  sad  change  took  place  in  him? 
He  fell  into  sin. 

38.  And  by  that  fall  he  lost  the  perfect  knowledge  of  and  cheerful- 

ness to  do  the  will  of  God.  When  I  tell  you  a  thing  and  you 
do  not  properly  understand  nor  remember  it,  what  must  I  do 
to  make  it  clear  and  fix  it  in  your  minds?  You  must  re- 
peat  it. 

39.  According  to   question    9,   what   did   God    do   with    his   law?     He 

repeated  it. 

40.  Why  was   this  necessary?     Because   men    had   forgotten   and   did 

not  properly   understand   the   law. 

41.  Men  by  nature  know  something  of  the  law.     But  what  kind   of 

knowledge  do  they  lack?  They  lack  a  clear  and  distinct 
knowledge. 

42.  What  do  we  call  that  voice  in  man  which  accuses  him  when  he 

does  wrong?     We  call   it  conscience. 

43.  But  man's  conscience  is  by  nature  no  longer  clear  and  reliable. 

Some  think  a  thing  is  right  and  others  that  it  is  wrong.  If 
we  had  nothing  to  go  by  but  our  consciences  we  could  never 
be  sure  what  is-  right  or  wrong.  Now  what  did  God  do  in 
order  that  we  mi,ght  have  an  absolutely  reliable  standard  of 
right  and  wrong?     He  gave  us  the  ten  commandments. 

44.  What  did  I  just  call  the  ten  commandments?     An  absolutely  re- 

liable standard  of  right  and  wrong. 

45.  On    that    account    they    are    sometimes    called    the    moral    law. 

Where  did  God  give  this  law?     He  gave  it  at  Mt.  Sinai. 

46.  Through    whom    did    God    give    the    law?     He    gave    it    through 

Moses. 

47.  Of  what  people   was   Moses  the  leader?     He  was   leader  of  the 

Jews. 

48.  But  for  whom  was  this  law  intended  besides  the  .Jews?     It  was 

intended   for  all   men. 

49.  You  say  in  the  answer  to  question  9  God  solemnly  repeated  his 

law  on  Mt.  Sinai.  Let  us  notice  some  of  the  solemn  things 
which  took  place  during  the  giving  of  the  law.  Turn  to  Lev. 
19  and  20  and  read  the  account  of  the  giving  of  the  law. 
Tell  me  from  chapter  19.  verse  18.  what  was  to  be  seen  on 
this  occasion?  "Mt.  Sinai  was  altogether  on  a  smoke  be- 
cause the  Lord  descended  on  it  in  fire.  The  whole  mountain 
quaked  greatly." 

50.  Now  tell   nie  from  the  same  chapter,  verse  16.  what  was  to  be 

heard?  "There  were  thunders  .  .  .  and  the  voice  of  the 
trumpet  exceedingly  loud." 

51.  And  again  verso  19.     "And  when  the  voice  of  the  trumpet  waxed 

louder  and  louder,  Moses  spake  and  the  Lord  answered  him 
by  a  voice." 

52.  What    impression    did    this    make    upon    the    people?     Verse    19. 

"All  the  people  that  was  in  the  camp  trembled." 


16  LESSON    5. 

53.  And   again   chapter   20,   verse   19.     "And    they    said    unto    Moses, 

speak  thou  with  us  and  we  will   hear,  but  let  not  God  speak 
with  us  lest  we  die." 

54.  What  did  Moses  answer?     Verse  20.     "Fear  not:   for  God  is  come 

to   prove   you,   and   that    his   fear   may   be   before   your  faces, 
that  ye  sin   not." 

55.  It  was  God's  intention  to  impress  the  people  with  the  sacredness 

of  his  law.    How  should  we  accordingly  regard  it?     As  some- 
thing solemn  and  sacred. 


LESSON  5.     THE  FIRST  TABLE  OF  THE   LAW. 

(Questions  10-13.) 

1.  (10)     "How    are    the    Ten    Commandments    divided?"     Into    two 

parts,  called  Tables." 

2.  Through  whom  did  God  give  the  Ten  Commandments?     He  gave 

them   through    Moses. 

3.  How  did  he  give  the  Commandments  to  Moses?     On  two  tables 

of  stone. 

4.  What  do  you  call  a  table  or  tablet  of  stone  used  for  writing?     We 

call  it  a  slate. 

5.  Read  what  is  written  Exodus  24,  12.     "And  the  Lord  said   unto 

Moses,  Come  up  to  me  into  the  mount,  and  be  there:  and  I 
will  give  thee  tables  of  stone,  and  a  law,  and  command- 
ments which   I   have  written;   that  thou   mayest  teach   them." 

6.  And  again  what  is  written  Exodus  31,  18.     "And  he   (God)    gave 

unto  Moses,  when  he  had  made  an  end  of  communing  with 
him  upon  Mt.  Sinai,  two  tables  of  testimony,  tables  of  stone, 
written  with  the  finger  of  God." 

7.  God    not   only   spoke   the   commandments,   but   what   did    he   do? 

He  wrote  them. 

8.  A  word  may  be  spoken  or  written.     What  advantage  is  there  in 

writing  what  you  have  to  say?  It  fixes  and  preserves  the 
saying. 

9.  Who  wrote  the  ten  commandments?     God   himself   wrote  them. 

10.  When  God  takes  the  pains  to  put  down  a  thing  in  writing,  how 

must  he  regard  it?     He  must  regard  it  as  very  important. 

11.  How  then  should  we  regard  the  commandments?     As  of  the  very 

greatest  importance. 

12.  How  did  God  impress  the  fact  upon  us  that  his  law  is  fixed  and 

unalterable?     By  writing   it  upon  stone. 

13.  On   how   many   stone   tables    were   the   commandments    written? 

They  were  written  on  two  tables. 

14.  Do  the  Scripture  passages  which  you  have  just  read  tell  us  any- 

thing as  to  how  many  commandments  were  on  each  table? 
They  do  not. 

15.  Neither  do  the  Scriptures  anywhere  else  tell  us  this.     And  yet 

the  commandments  themselves  show  us  how  we  may  divide 
them.  Some  tell  us  our  duties  toward  God,  others  our  duties 
toward  man.  And  so  we  make  the  division  on  the  ground  of 
their  contents.  The  first  three  Commandments  tell  us  of  our 
duties  toward  God,  therefore  we  place  them  on  which  table? 
We  place  them  on  the  first  table. 


LESSON    5.  17 

16.  (11)     "Of  what  does  the  first  table  of  the  law  treat?"     "Of  love 

to  God." 

17.  What  then  is  our  duty  toward  God?     To  love  him. 

18.  Now  tell  me,  of  what  does  the  second  table  of  the  law  treat? 

You  will  find  the  answer  given  under  question  50.  "Of  love 
to  our  neighbor." 

19.  What  is  our  duty  toward  our  neighbor?     To  love  him. 

20.  What  then  do  both  tables  of  the  law  ask  of  us?     They  ask  love. 

21.  You  will  find  this  expressed  in  Romans  13,  10.     Read  the  latter 

half  of  the  passage.  "Therefore,  love  is  the  fulfilling  of 
the  law." 

22.  How  is  the  law  fulfilled?     The  law  is  fulfilled  by  love. 

23.  (12)     "What  is  the  sum  or  contents  of  the  first  table?"     "Thou 

Shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God,  with  all  thy  heart,  and  with 
all  thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy  mind." 

24.  What   does   this    Scripture   passage    show   us?      It   shows    us   the 

sum  or  contents  of  the  first  table  of  the  law. 

25.  Let  us  read  the  passage  in  its  connection.     Matt.  22,34-40.    What 

question  had  one  of  the  Pharisees  put  to  the  Savior?  Verse 
36.     "Master,  which  is  the  great  commandment  in  the  law?" 

26.  What  did  he  mean  by  the  great  commandment?     The   principal 

or  most   important  commandment. 

27.  And  to  this  question  the  Savior  gave  the  answer  you  have  just 

recited.  What  did  he  thereby  declare  the  commandment  of 
love  towards  God  to  be?  The  most  important  of  all  com- 
mandments. 

28.  Yes,  and  more   than   this.     Read   what   he   says,   verse   40.      "On 

these  two  commandments  hang  all  the  law  and  the  prophets." 

29.  He  declares   not  only  that  these  commandments   requiring  love 

are  the  great  commandments,  but  what  else?  That  all  the 
law  hangs  on  these  commandments. 

30.  What   does   he   mean    by   this?      That   what   the    law    requires    is 

that  we  love  God  and  our  neighbor. 

31.  What  then,  is  the  one  thing  which  the  law  requires?     It  requires 

love. 

32.  Whom  would  God  have  us  love  first  of  all?     He  would   have  us 

love  himself. 

33.  When   we   love   a   thing,   how    do    we   regard    it?      We    regard    it 

highly. 

34.  When  we  love  a  person  what  do  we  think  of  him?     We  think  a 

great  deal  of  him. 

35.  How  has  God  shown  himself  worthy  of  our  love?     By  doing  us 

good. 

36.  What  are  some  of  the  good  things  which  should  move  us  to  love 

him?  He  has  created  us  and  keeps  us.  He  sent  us  the 
Savior. 

37.  What    induces    God    to    bestow    upon    us    such    blessings?      He 

loves    us. 

38.  Read  the  passage,  .John  .!,  16.     "God  so  loved  the  world  that  he 

gave  his  only  begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  believeth  in  him 
should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life." 

39.  What  is  here  said  of  God's  relation  to  the  world?     He  loved  the 

world. 


18  LESSON    5. 

40.  What  did  his  love  for  the  world  induce  him  to  do?     It  induced 

him  to  give  his  only  begotten  Son. 

41.  To  what  should  this  great  love  of  CJod  move  us?     It  should  move 

us  to  love  him  in  return. 

42.  This  is  expressed  in  the  passage,  1  John  4,  19.-     Read  it.     "We 

love   him    because   he   first   loved   us." 

43.  Now  tell  me,  how  does  God  say  you  should  love  him?    "With  all 

thy  heart,  with   all   thy  soul,  and  with  all   thy  mind." 

44.  Love,  then,  is  something  that  is  not  done  with  the  hand,  or  the 

mouth.  But  where  is  the  seat  of  love?  In  the  heart,  soul 
and  mind. 

45.  This  is  expressed  in  Psalm  84,  2.     Read  the  passage.     "My  soul 

longeth,  yea,  even  fainteth  for  the  courts  of  the  Lord;  my 
heart  and   my  flesh  crieth  out  for  the  living   God." 

46.  God  does  not  simply  regard  our  words  and  actions,  but  what  does 

he  look  upon?     He  looks  upon  our  hearts. 

47.  In  1  Samuel  16,  the  latter  half  of  the  7th  verse,  the  Lord  him- 

self tells  us  this.  Read  it.  "Man  looketh  on  the  outward 
appearance,  but  the  Lord  looketh  on  the  heart." 

48.  What  does  God  say  as  to  how  we  should  love  him?     "With  ail 

thy  heart,  with  all  thy  soul  and  with  all  thy  mind." 

49.  What  little  word  here  occurs  three  times?     The  word  "all." 

50.  Why  does  God  repeat  this  word  three  times?     Because  he  wants 

our  whole  heart,  soul  and  mind. 

51.  The  relation  between  God  and   us  is  sometimes  compared  with 

the  relation  between  a  bridegroom  and  his  bride.  How  does 
a  bride  regard  her  bridegroom?     She   loves   him. 

52.  How   many  does  she  love  besides  him?     None.     She   loves   him 

only. 

53.  When  are  people  not  on  speaking  terms  with  each  other?     When 

they  hate  each  other. 

54.  But  when  they  love  each  other.     What  do  they  delight  in?     In 

each  other's  company.     They  like  to  talk  to  each  other. 

55.  And  if  we  love  God  how  will  this  love  manifest  itself?     We  will 

delight  to  Ije  with  him  and  to  speak  to  him. 

56.  How  may  we  do  this?     We  may  do  this  in  prayer. 

57.  In    which    commandment    are    we    asked    to    worship    God    with 

prayer,  praise  and  thanksgiving?  In  the  second  command- 
ment. 

58.  If  we  love  God  we  will  delight  to  be  with  him,  to  hear  his  word. 

In  which  commandment  are  we  asked  to  gladly  hear  and 
learn  his  word?     In  the  third  commandment. 

59.  If  we  truly  love  God,  we  will  not  only  pray  to,  praise  and  thank 

him,  and  hear  his  word,  but  we  will  do  more.  What  does 
the  Savior  say  John  14,  15?  "If  ye  love  me,  keep  my  com- 
mandments." 

60.  How  may  we  show  our  love  to  him?     By  keeping  his  command- 

ments. 

61.  What  is  to  be  our  motive  in  keeping  God's  commandments?     Our 

love  to  him. 

62.  This  thought  is  also  expressed  in  1  John  5,  3.     Read  the  passage. 

"For  this    is  the    love    of  God,   that   we    keep    his   command- 
ments;  and  his  commandments  are  not  grievous." 


LfiSSON   6.  19 

63.  Of  what  Is  our  Obedience  to  God's  commandments  to  be  an  evi- 

dence?    It  is  to  be  an  evidence  that  we  love  him. 

64.  (13)     "How  many  commandments  does  the  first  table  contain?" 

"The  first  three." 


LESSON   6.     THE   PREFACE  TO  THE   FIRST  COMMANDMENT. 

(Question  14-15.) 

1.  (14)     "Which  is  the  First  Commandment?"     "I  am  the  Lord,  thy 

God.     Thou  shalt  have  no  other  gods  before  me." 

2.  (15)   "What  does   this   mean?"     "We   should   fear,    love   and    trust 

in  God  above  all  things." 

3.  Repeat  the  first  sentence  of  tliis  commandment.     "I  am  the  Lord, 

thy  God." 

4.  What  part  of  speech  is  the  first  word  of  this  sentence?     A  per- 

sonal pronoun. 

5.  For  what  does  a  personal  pronoun  stand?     It  stands  for  a  person. 

6.  For   what  does   the  pronoun    "I"    stand   in   the   First   Command- 

ment?    It  stands  for  the   Lord  God. 

7.  Yes,  God  is  not  a  mere  thing,  or  a  name,  or  an  idea  in  the  mind 

of  man,  but  a  person.  Personal  pronouns  may  be  of  how 
many  persons?     Of  the  first,  second  or  third  persons. 

8.  Of  which  is  the  pronoun  "I"?     Of  the  first  person. 

9.  Why?     Because  it  stands  for  the  person  speaking. 

10.  Then  how  does  this  commandment  place  God  before  us?     As  the 

person  speaking. 

11.  Repeat  the  first  two  words  in  the  sentence.     "I  am." 

12.  Can  a  rock  or  an  image  say,  "I  am"?     It  can  not. 

13.  What  kind  of  a  being  is  it  that  can  say  "I  am"?     A  living  being, 

or  a  person. 

14.  Read  the  passage.  .ler.  10.  10      "But  the  Lord  is  the  true  God,  he 

is  the  living  God,  and  an  everlasting  king." 

15.  An  idol  is  a  dead  thing,  but  what  is  here  said  of  the  true  God? 

"He  is  the  living  God." 

16.  By  what  two  words  in  this  preface  does  God  say  that  he  lives? 

When  he  says,  "I  am." 

17.  God  said  this  over  3,000  years  ago,'  but  when  does  he  still  say 

it?     He  says  it  now,  and  at  all  times. 

18.  Where  is  God  when  he  says,  "I  am"?     God  is  everywhere. 

19.  Yes,  children,  the  God  who  says  "I  am,"  always  was,  is  now  and 

always  will  be.  Ho  is  everywhere.  He  is  with  us  this  mo- 
ment, though  we  can  not  see  him.  What  does  God  call  him- 
self in  this   preface?     "The   Lord,  thy  God." 

20.  What  is  a  lord?     One  who  rules  or  commands. 

21.  Turn  to  Gen.   42,  30.     What  did  Joseph's   brethren  say  of  him? 

That  he  was  the  lord  of  the  land. 

22.  Why  did  they  say  this?     Because  the   king   had  made  him  ruler 

of  the  land  of  Egypt. 

23.  What  has  a  lord  a  right  to  give  out?     To  give  out  commands. 

24.  Why  has  God  a  right  to  give  us  commandments?     Because  he  is 

our   Lord. 


20  LESSON   6. 

25.  But  in  this  preface  God  does  not  call  himself  a  h  rd,  but  what 

does  he  say?     "I  am  the  Lord." 

26.  Why  does  he  call  himself  the  Lord,  and  not  a  lord?     Because  he 

is  the  only  lord. 

27.  If  he  is  Lord,  then  what  are  we?     We  are  servants,  subjects. 

28.  And  if  it  is  his  to  command,  what  is  our  duty?     Our  duty  is  to 

obey. 

29.  When  God  says,  "Thou  shalt,"  what  should  we  say?     We  should 

say,  I   will. 

30.  What  other  personal  pronoun  have  we  in  this  preface,  besides 

the  pronoun  "I"?     The  pronoun  "thy." 

31.  What    person    does    this    pronoun    stand    for?     For    the    second 

person. 

32.  Which  is  the  second  person?     The  person  spoken  to. 

33.  To   what  people  was   God  speaking  when   he  first  ,^poke  these 

words?     To  the  children  of  Israel. 

34.  But  to  whom  does  he  speak  now   in  these   words?     He   speaks 

to  us. 

35.  God  here  calls  himself  "Thy  God."     Does  he  speak  in  the  sin- 

gular or  plural  number?     He  speaks  in  the  singular  number. 

36.  How  would  he  say  if  he  spoke  in  the  plural  number?     He  would 

say:   your  God. 
;;7.     God  has  special  reasons  for  speaking  in  the  singular  number  as 
he    does    in   all    the    commandments.     When    you    hear    him 
say,  "Thy  God,"  "Thou  shalt,"  to  what  individual  person  is 
he  speaking?     He  is  speaking  to  me. 

38.  Yes,  it  is  as  though  God  singled  you  out  and  spoke  to  you  per- 

sonally. When  you  speak  to  others  of  your  father,  what 
personal  pronoun  do  you  use  in  connection  with  the  word 
"father"?     I   say,  my  father. 

39.  And  how  does  your  father  speak  of  you?     He  says,   My  son  or 

my  daughter. 

40.  What  does  this  pronoun  say  in  this  connection?     It  says  that  my 

father  is  mine,  and   I  am  his. 

41.  Yes,   it   expresses   a   personal,    a   family    relation.     You    are    not 

strangers.  You  belong  to  each  other.  To  whom  could  you 
not  say  "my"?     To  a  stranger. 

42.  When  God  calls  himself,  "Thy  God,"  what  does  he  want  to  say? 

What  does  he  express  by  the  word  "thy"?  That  he  is  mine; 
that  he  belongs  to  me. 

43.  What  word  expresses  this  intimate  relation  of  God  to  us?     The 

word  "father." 

44.  If  God  is  your  lather,  then  what  are  you?     I  am  his  child. 

45.  Where  does  the  Savior  himself  teach  us  to  call  God  "Father"? 

in  the  Lord's  Prayer. 

46.  When  God  calls  himself  "Thy  God,"  what  does  this  express  with 

reference  to  the  past?     That  he  always  was  my  God. 

47.  And  what  did  he  do  for  you  as  your  God?     He  created  me.     He 

cared  for  me. 

48.  And  what  do  these  words,  "Thy  God,"  imply  with  reference  to 

the  future?     That  he  will  always  be  my  God. 

49.  And  of  what  may  you  then  be  confident?     That  he  will  care  for 

and    keep   me. 


LESSON    7.  21 

f.O.  Luther,  giving  us  the  meaning  of  the  first  commandment,  tells 
us  what  we  ow^  God  because  he  is  in  deed  and  truth  our 
God.  What  does  he  say?  "We  should  fear,  love  and  trust 
in  God  above  all   things." 


LESSON    7.      WHAT    IS    FORBIDDEN    IN    THE    FIRST 
COMMANDMENT. 

(Questions  16-17.) 

1.  Repeat  the  second  sentence  of  the  First  Commandment.     "Thou 

shalt  have  no  other  gods  before  me." 

2.  What  do  these  words  speak  of?     Of  other  gods. 

3.  (16)  "What  do  you  understand  by  'other  gods'"?    Read  the  first 

part  of  the  answer  to  question  16.  "All  that  men  devise  in 
the  place  of  God,  and  to  which  they  give  the  honor  due  to 
God." 

4.  Are  there  really  any  other  gods  besides  the  one  true  God,  who 

says,  "I  am  the  Lord,  thy  God"?     There  are  not. 

5.  When  a  man  is  in  a  fever,  or  not  in  his  right  mind,  he  often  sees 

things  that  do  not  exist,  and  speaks  to  persons  who  are  not 
present.     What   word    expresses   this?     He    imagines   things. 

6.  Yes,  and  so  men  have  imagined  other  things  to  be  God,  although 

they  are  not,  and  have  put  these  things  in  the  place  of  God. 
And  what  dO'  they  give  these  things?  They  give  them  the 
honor  due  to  God. 

7.  The  answer  to  question  16  tells  us  some  of  the  things  which  men 

imagine  to  be  gods,  and  to  which  they  give  the  honor  due  to 
God.  What  is  mentioned  under  number  1?  "The  idols  of 
the  heathen." 

8.  Open  your  Bibles  and  read,  Psalm  115,  2-8.     What  is  here  said  of 

idols  in  verse  4?  "Their  idols  are  silver  and  gold,  the  work 
of  men's  hands." 

9.  Tell  me  from  verse  2,  who  is  it  that  makes  and  worships  such 

idols?     The  heathen  make  and  worship  idols. 
10.     What  is  said   of  these   idols,  verses   5   to   7?     They   can   neither 

speak,  nor  see,  nor  hear,  nor  smell,  nor  handle. 
jl.     What  would  you  say  of  a  thing  that  can  neither  speak,  see,  hear, 

smell  nor  handle?     It  is  a  dead  thing. 

12.  Yes,  and  yet  men  in  their  blindness  will  fall  down  and  worship 

such  a  dead  thing.  What  did  the  children  of  Israel  at  Mt. 
Sinai  make  in  the  place  of  God?     They  made  a  golden  calf. 

13.  How  did  they  honor  this  calf?     They  fell  down  and  worshiped  it. 

14.  What  kind  of  honor  did  they  thus  show  this  idol?     They  showed 

it  divine  honor. 

15.  Turn  to  Ex.  32,  4,  and  tell  me  what  they  called  this  golden  calf 

which  they  had  made  with  their  own  hands.  "These  be  thy 
gods,  O  Israel,  which  brought  thee  up  out  of  the  land  of 
Egypt." 

16.  But  the  heathen  do  not  worship  dead  images  only;  some  worship 

the  sun,  others  worship  animals,  such  as  cattle  or  serpents, 
and  some  worship  fire.  What  do  they  make  of  all  these 
things?     They  make  idols  of  them. 


22  L£sso^f  7- 

17.  Read  the  passage,  Acts  14,  8-15.     Here  we  are  told  of  a  case  Of 

gross  idolatry?  When  Paul  had  healed  the  impotent  man, 
what  did  the  people  say?  Verse  11.  "The  gods  are  come 
down  to  us." 

18.  What  two  gods  did  they  mention.     Verse  12.,    They  called   Bar- 

nabas Jupiter  and   Paul   Mercurius. 

19.  These  were  two  imaginary  gods  of  the  ancient  Greeks,  of  whom 

they  had  images  in  their  temples.  But  what  did  Paul  ad- 
monish the  people  to  do?  Verse  15.  To  turn  from  these 
vanities  unto  the  living  God. 

20.  What  is  mentioned  under  number  2,  of  question  16,  as  something 

which  men  put  in  the  place  of  God?  "Pictures  and  carved 
images  that  are  set  up  for  worship." 

21.  Read  what  is  written,  Ex.  20,  4-5,  and  tell  me  what  is  there  for- 

bidden.    To  make  any  graven  images  or  likeness. 

22.  For  what  purpose  did  the  heathen  make  these  images  or  statues? 

For  the  purpose  of  worship. 

23.  Read  what  is  said  in  the  5th  verse  of  this  chapter.     "Thou  shalt 

not  bow  down  thyself  to  them,  nor  serve  them." 

24.  What,  then,  is  it  that  God  forbids  with  reference  to  pictures  and 

images?     He  forbids  worshiping  them. 

25.  Tell  me  from  number  ?,  of  question  16,  what  else  do  men  put  in 

the  place  of  God?     "Departed  saints,  if  they  be  invoked." 

26.  Read  the  passage  Isa.  63,  16,  and  tell  me  of  what  departed  pious 

man  or  saint  does  it  speak.     It  speaks  of  Abraham. 

27.  What  does  it  say  of  Abraham?     That  he  is  ignorant  of  us. 

28.  What  good  would  it  do  us  to  pray  to  departed  saints?     It  would 

do  us  no  good. 

29.  Now  turn  to  the  passage,  Rev.  19,  10.     It  was  an  angel  of  God 

who  had  been  speaking  to  St.  John.  What  was  the  Apostle 
about  to  do?     He  fell  at  his  feet  to  worship  him. 

30.  But  what  did  the  angel  say?     "See  thou  do  it  not:    I  am  thy  fel- 

low-servant and  one  of  thy  brethren." 

31.  If  it  is  wrong  to  worship  even  an  angel,  then  what  other  worship 

is  surely  also  wrong?     The  worship  of  saints. 

32.  Where  is     this    worship    carried    on?      In    the    Roman    Catholic 

Church. 

33.  What  saint  particularly  do  they  worship?     The  Virgin  Mary. 

34.  Now  tell  me  from  number  4,  question  16,  what  else  do  men  put 

in  the  place  of  God?  "All  gifts  and  possessions  of  men,  if 
one  puts  his  trust  in  them." 

35.  Turn  to  Eph.  5,  5.  and  tell  me  what  is  there  said  of  the  covetous 

man.     He  is  an  idolater. 

36.  What  is  the  idol  or  false  god  that  he  worships?     He  worships 

his  money. 

37.  The  same  kind   of  idolatry  is   referred   to  in   Job  31,   24.     Read 

the  passage.  "If  I  have  made  gold  my  hope,  or  have  said 
to  the  fine  gold:     Thou  art  my  confidence." 

38.  Now  turn  to  Phil.  3,  19,  and  tell  me  another  god  that  men  make. 

"They  make  their  belly  their  god." 

39 .  Yes,  whom  do  men,  who  think  only  of  themselves  and  know  and 

care  for  nothing  higher  than  to  eat,  drink  and  enjoy  the 
good  things  of  this  life,  really  worship?  They  worship  them- 
selves. 


LESSON    7.  23 

40.  In  Acts  12,  21-23,  there  is  a  case  of  idolatry  recorded.     Who  is 

the  wicked  man  there  referred  to?     Herod. 

41.  What  was  he  pleased  to  have  the  people  say  of  him,  when  he 

spoke?     "It  is  the  voice  of  a  god,  and  not  of  a  man." 

42.  When  a  man  or  woman  is  vain  and  self-conceited,  proud  of  his 

wisdom,  strength,  beauty,  skill  and  the  like,  what  does  such  a 
person  make  of  himself?     He  makes  an  idol  of  himself. 

43.  What  does  God  say  of  the  honor  that  is  due  him?     Repeat  the 

passage  Isa.  42,  8.  "I  am  the  Lord,  that  is  my  name:  and 
my  glory  will  I  riot  give  to  another,  neither  my  praise  to 
graven  images." 

44.  (17)    "What,  then,  is  forbidden  in  this  commandment?"    "That  we 

give  to  any  creature  whatever  the  honor  that  belongs  to  God 
alone." 

45.  Repeat  the  passage.  Matt.  4,  10.     "Thou  shalt  worship  the  Lord, 

thy  God,  and   him  only  shalt  thou  serve." 

46.  What  honor  are  we  here  asked  to  give  God?     We  are  asked  to 

worship  and  serve  him. 

47.  To  whom  alone,  then,  does  the  honor  of  worship  belong?     It  be- 

longs to  God  alone. 

48.  When  the  Indian  worships  the  sun,  what  honor  is  he  showing  it? 

The  honor  which  belongs  to  God  alone. 

49.  Now  tell  me  of  the  first  commandment,  what  does  this  mean? 

"We  should  fear,  love  and  trust  in  God  above  all  things." 

50.  What  according  to  this  is  the  first  honor  which  we  should  show 

God?     We  should  fear  him  above  all  things. 

51.  Repeat  the  passage.  Matt.  10,  28.     "Fear  not  them  that  kill  the 

body,  but  are  not  able  to  kill  the  soul;  but  rather  fear  him 
which  is  able  to  destroy  both  soul  and  body  in  hell." 

52.  When  we  fear  men  as  much  as  or  more  than  we  fear  God,  what 

kind  of  honor  are  we  showing  them?  We  are  showing  them 
divine  honor,  the  honor  that  belongs  to  God  alone. 

53.  What  is  the  second  honor  which  we  owe  God?     We  should  love 

him  above  all  things. 

54.  When  we  love  any  person  or  thing  as  much  as  or  more  than  we 

love  God,  what  honor  are  we  giving  that  person  or  thing? 
We  are  giving  it  divine  honor,  the  honor  which  belongs  to 
God  alone. 

55.  Whom   do  parents   love  most  among  all  men?     They   love  their 

children. 

56.  Whom  do  children  love  most  among  all  men?     They  love  their 

parents. 

57.  And  yet,  what  are  we  warned  against,  Matt.  10,  37?     "He  that 

loveth  father  or  mother  more  than  me  is  not  worthy  of  me; 
and  he  that  loveth  son  or  daughter  more  than  me  is  not 
worthy   of   me." 

58.  Yes,  there  are  people  that  fairly  worship  their  children.     What 

do  they  make  of  them  when  they  love  them  as  much  or  more 
than  God?     They  make  idols  of  them. 

59.  What  is  the  third  honor  which  we  owe  God?     We  should  trust 

in  him  above  all  things. 

60.  But  when   we  trust  in  our  friends,   our  money,  our  wisdom,  or 

skill  as  much  as  or  more  than  we  trust  in  God,  what  kind  of 
honor  are  we  showing  them?  We  are  showing  them  divine 
honor,  the  honor  that  belongs  to  God  alone. 


24  LESSON   8. 

61.  What  does  God  say  of  him  that  trusteth  in  men  instead  of  God? 
Jer.  17.  5.  "Cursed  be  the  man  that  trusteth  in  man,  and 
maketh  flesh  his  arm,  and  whose  heart  departeth  from  the 
Lord." 


LESSON   8.      WHAT    IS   COMMANDED   IN   THE    FIRST 
COMMANDMENT. 

(Questions  18-22.) 

1.  (18)     "What  on  the  other  hand  is  commanded  in  the  First  Com- 

mandment?" "That  we  should  fear,  love  and  trust  in  God 
above  all  things." 

2.  (19)     "What  does  this  mean?'"To  stand  in  childlike  awe  of  God, 

to  regard  him  as  the  highest  good,  and  to  look  to  Him  for 
every  blessing." 

3.  What  three  words  in  the  answer  to  question  18  express  our  duty 

toward  God?     The  words  "fear,"  "love"  and  "trust." 

4.  In  the  answer  to  question  19  these  words  are  explained.     What 

does  it  mean  to  fear  God?  It  means  to  stand  in  childlike 
awe  of  God. 

5.  Read  the  passage  Gen.  3,  9.  10.  and  tell  me  from  the  10th  verse 

how  did  Adam  feel  toward  God  after  he  had  sinned?  He 
said,  "I  was  afraid." 

6.  Why  v/as  Adam  afraid  of  God?     Because  he  had  sinned. 

7.  What  was  he  afraid  of?     He  was  afraid  of  punishment. 

8.  Children,  it  is  not  this  fear  which  the  First  Commandment  asks 

of  us.  "Fear"  here  does  not  mean  to  be  afraid  of,  but  what 
does  it  mean  according  to  question  19?     To  stand  in  awe  of. 

9.  Read  the  passage  Ps.  33,  8.     "Let  all  the  earth  fear  the   Lord: 

let  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  world  stand  in  awe  of  Him." 

10.  According  to  this  passage,  then,  what  does  it  mean  to  fear  the 

Lord?     To  stand  in  awe  of  him. 

11.  What  kind  of  awe  or  fear  should  this  be?     It  should   be  child- 

like awe. 

12.  In  whom  do  we  find  such  awe  or  respect?     In  children   toward 

their  parents. 

13.  We  cannot  fear  or  reverence  God  without  knowing  him.     But  the 

better  we  know  him.  his  wonderful  attributes,  his  glorious 
works,  the  more  will  we  stand  in  awe  of  him.  To  know 
.lesus  Christ  is  to  know  God.  This  we  learn  from  .John  17,  3. 
Repeat  the  passage.  "This  is  eternal  life,  that  they  might 
know  thee,  the  only  true  God,  and  Jesus  Christ  whom  thou 
hast  sent." 

14.  What  does  this  childlike  fear  of  children  towards  their  parents 

induce  them  to  avoid?  To  avoid  what  displeases  their 
parents. 

15.  The  same  is  true  of  our  fear  of  God.     What  does  it  induce  us 

to  avoid?  Give  me  the  answer  by  reading  Prov.  16,  6,  the 
latter  half.     "By  the  fear  of  the  Lord  men  depart  from  evil." 

16.  When  Joseph  was  tempted  by  Potiphar's  wicked  wife  to  commit 

adultery,  what  did  he  answer?     Gen.  39,  9.     "How  can   I  do 
this  great  wickedness  and  sin  against  God?" 
11,     Of  whom  did  he  think  when  he  was  tempted  to  sin?     He  thought 
of  God. 


LESSON   8.  25 

18.  Yes,  he  knew  God  was  present  and  saw  all  things.     How  did  he 

regard  sin?     As  great  wickedness. 

19.  Against    whom    did    he    know    sin    was    an    offense?     An    offense 

against  God. 

20.  If  we  are  really  God's  dear  children  what  should  we  fear  to  do? 

We  should  fear  to  offend  God. 

21.  And  how  is  God  offended?     God   is  offended   by  sin. 

22.  Why  would  not  the  three  pious  Jews,   Shadrach,  Meshach   and 

Abednego  fall  down  and  worship  the  golden  image?  Be- 
cause tliey  feared  God. 

23.  They  feared  God  more  than  they  feared  whom?     IVlore  than  tliey 

feared  the  king. 

24.  Why  would  not  Luther  take  back  what  he  had  written  against 

the  pope  when  asked  to  do  so  before  the  Diet  of  Worms? 
Because  he  feared   God. 

25.  More  than  whom  did  he  fear  God?     IVlore  than  the  emperor  or 

the  pope. 

26.  How   does   the  catechism  say  we  should  fear  God?     We  should 

fear  him  above  all  things. 

27.  What  else  does  God  ask  of  us  besides  that  we  fear  him  above 

all  things?     That  we  love  him  above  all  things. 

28.  Tell  me  from  the  answer  to  question  19  how  our  love  to  God 

should  move  us  to  regard  him.  We  should  regard  him  as 
the  highest  good. 

29.  How  do  we  regard   things   that  we  love?     We    regard   them    as 

good. 

30.  How  should  we  regard  God?     As  the  highest  good. 

31.  What   does   the   psalmist   say   of  his   relation   to   God   in   Ps.   73, 

25.  26?  "Whom  have  I  in  heaven  but  Thee?  and  there  is 
none  upon  the  earth  that  I  desire  beside  Thee.  My  flesh  and 
my  heart  faileth:  but  God  is  the  strength  of  my  heart,  and 
my  portion  forever." 

32.  Tell  me  from  this  how  much  he  loved  God.     He  loved  God  more 

than  anything  in  heaven  or  on  earth. 

33.  Abraham  had  a  son  Isaac  whom  he  dearly  loved.     What  strange 

command  did  God  give  him  concerning  his  son?  That  he 
should  sacrifice  his  son  as  a  burnt  offering. 

34.  What    was    Abraham    willing    to    do    when    God    gave    him    this 

strange  command?     He  was  willing  to  obey,  and  was  about 
to  offer  up  his  son. 

35.  Abraham  loved  his  son,  but  whom  did  he  love  more?     He  loved 

God  more. 

36.  Turn    to   1    John    4,    19,    and    tell   me   why   we    should   love  God. 

Because  he  first  loved  us. 

37.  Now  tell  me  from  1  John  5,  3.  how  we  may  show  our  love  to  God. 

"This  is  the  love  of  God  that  we  keep  his  commandments." 

38.  What  else  does  God  ask  of  us  besides  that  we  fear  and  love  him 

above  all  things?     That  we  trust  in  him  above  all  things. 

39.  Tell  me  from  the  answer  to  question  19  what  it  means  to  trust 

in  God  above  all  things.     To  look  to  him  for  every  good. 

40.  Read  the  passage  James  1,  17.     "Every  good  gift  and  every  per- 

fect gift  is  from  above,  and  cometh  down  from  the  Father  of 
lights,  with  whom  is  no  variableness  neither  shadow  of 
turning." 


26  LESSON   8. 

41.  From  whom  do  all  good  things  come?     They  come  from  God. 

42.  When  we  look  to  any  person  for  something  good   we  are  con- 

vinced that  he  is  both  able  and  willing  to  give  it.  What  can 
you  say  of  God's  ability  to  give  us  what  we  need?  He  is 
able  to  do  all  things,  he  is  almighty. 

43.  Tell  me  this  with  a  scripture  passage.     You  will  find  it  in  Luke 

1,  37.     "For  with  God  nothing  shall  be  impossible." 

44.  Now  what  ^bout  his  willingness  to  give  us  all  we  need?     He  is 

not  only  able  but  also  willing  to  give  us  what  we  need. 

45.  What  does  God  say,  Ps.   50,   15?     "Call    upon   me   in  the  day  of 

trouble,  I  will  deliver  thee." 

46.  Men  would  often   be  willing  to  help  us  if  they  only  could,  and 

they  could  often  if  they  only  would,  but  what  is  the  case 
with    God?     He    is    both    able    and    willing    to    help. 

47.  Yes,  and  therefore  how  should  we  regard  him  and  his  promises? 

We  should  put  confidence  in  him  and  his  promises. 

48.  Tell  me  this  by  repeating  Prov.  3,  5.     "Trust  in  the   Lord  with 

all  thine   heart:    and   lean   not  on  thine  own   understanding." 

49.  When  Israel  was  pursued  by  Pharaoh's  hosts  at  the  Red  Sea  in 

whom  did  Moses  put  his  trust?  Tell  me  by  reading  what  he 
said  to  the  people.  Ex.  14,  13.  "And  Moses  said  unto  the 
people,  fear  ye  not,  stand  still,  and  see  the  salvation  of 
the  Lord." 

50.  Yes,  and  they  saw  it;   for  their  trust  in  the  Lord  was  not  put  to 

shame.  How  was  their  trust  in  the  Lord  proven  to  be  well 
placed?  The  children  of  Israel  passed  safely  through  the 
Red  Sea  and  the    Egyptians  were   drowned. 

51.  When   David    and    Goliath    met    to    decide    the    victory    between 

Israel  and  the  Philistines,  in  what  did  Goliath  put  his  con- 
fidence?    In  his  great  strength  and  in   his  mighty  weapons. 

52.  In  whom  did  David  trust?     He  trusted  in  God. 

53.  What  words  of  David  plainly  show  this?     Read  1  Saml.  17,  45. 

"Then  David  said  to  the  Philistine,  Thou  comest  to  me  with 
a  sword  and  with  a  spear  and  with  a  shield,  but  I  come  to 
thee  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  of  hosts,  the  God  of  the  armies 
of   Israel   whom   thou    hast   defied." 

ti4.  And  how  did  the  issue  show  that  David's  confidence  in  God  was 
not  vain?     David  slew  the  giant  and  cut  off  his  head. 

o8.  What  did  it  require  on  the  part  of  Abraham  when  in  obedience 
to  God's  command  in  his  old  age  he  left  his  fatherland  to  go 
into  a  far  off  country  that  God  would  show  him,  not  knowing 
where  he  was  going?  It  required  great  faith  and  confidence 
in  God. 

56.  How    does    the    Catechism    say    we    should    trust    in    God?      We 

should  trust  in  God  above  all  things. 

57.  Repeat  the  passage  Ps.   118,  8.  9.     "It  is   better  to  trust   in  the 

Lord  than  to  put  confidence  in  man.  It  is  better  to  trust  in 
the   Lord  than  to  put  confidence  in  princes." 

58.  Why  is  it  better  to  trust  in  the  Lord  than  to  put  confidence  in 

men?  Because  he  is  more  able  and  willing  to  help  than 
they. 

59.  Now  read  what  is  written  Ps.  42.  11.     "Why  art  thou  cast  down, 

O  my  soul?  and  why  art  thou  disquieted  within  me?  Hope 
thou  in  God:  for  I  shall  yet  praise  him,  who  is  the  health  of 
my  countenance,   and   my   God." 


LESSON   9.  27 

60.  (20)     "Why  is  it  that  Luther  begins  the  explanation  of  each  com- 

mandment with  the  words:  We  should  fear  and  love  God?" 
"He  would  thereby  point  out  the  source  whence  all  the  works 
required  in  the  Ten  Commandments  should  flow;  namely 
fear  and  love  to  God." 

61.  What  is  the  source  of  all  true  obedience  to  God's  commandments? 

The  fear  and  love  of  God. 

62.  Yes,  children,  not  the  hope  of  reward  nor  the  fear  of  punishment 

should  move  us  to  keep  God's  commandments.  Why  do  the 
wicked  som.etimes  outwardly  keep  the  law?  Because  they 
hope  to  be  rewarded  or  they  fear  punishment. 

63.  But  why  do  God's  dear  children  walk  in  the  way  of  his  command- 

ments?    Because  they  fear  and    love  their  heavenly   Father. 

64.  (21)     "Why  do  you  not  repeat  the  Ten  Commandments  in  just  as 

many  words  as  Moses  recorded  them?"  "Because  part  per- 
tains to  the  Jews  only,  and  part  is  but  a  further  explanation." 

65.  Now  turn  to  the  account  of  the  giving  of  the  law  and  read  what 

is  written,  Ex.  20,  1.  2.  "And  God  spake  all  these  words  say- 
ing: I  am  the  Lord  thy  God,  which  have  brought  thee  out  of 
the  land  of  Egypt,  out  of  the  house  of  bondage." 

66.  To  whom  did  this  deliverance  refer?     It  referred  to  the  children 

of  Israel. 

C7.  Now  read  Ex.  20.  4.  5.  "Thou  shalt  not  make  unto  thee  any 
graven  image,  or  any  likeness  of  anything  that  is  in  heaven 
above,  or  that  is  in  the  earth  beneath,  or  that  is  in  the  water 
under  the  earth.  Thou  shalt  not  bow  down  thyself  to  them, 
nor  worship  them." 

68.  Of  which  commandment  are  these  words  a  further  explanation? 

They  are  a  further  explanation  of  the  first  commandment. 

69.  (22)     "Could  they,  however,  not  in  good  conscience  be  repeated  in 

full?"  "Certainly;  but  in  the  entire  New  Testament  they 
are  nowhere  so  repeated;  we  are  therefore  right  in  following 
the   Apostles." 


LESSON    9.     WHAT    IS    MEANT    BY   THE    NAME    OF    GOD. 

(Questions  23-25.) 

1.  (23)     "Which    is    the    second    commandment?"     "Thou    shalt    not 

take  the  name  of  the  Lord  thy  God  in  vain." 

2.  (24)     "What  does  this  mean?"         "We  should  fear  and  love  God, 

that  we  may  not  curse,  swear,  use  witchcraft,  lie  or  deceive 
by  his  name;  but  call  upon  it  in  every  trouble,  pray,  praise 
and  give  thanks." 

3.  Of  what  does  this  commandment  treat?     It  treats  of  the  name  of 

God. 

4.  (25)     "What  does  the  name  of  God   imply?"     "All   that  God   has 

revealed  of  himself  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  such  as  his  es- 
sence, attributes,  will  and  command." 

5.  With  whom  is  the  name  of  a  person   closely  connected?     With 

the  person  himself. 

6.  When  we  wish  to  designate  a  person,  what  do  we  mention  first 

of  all?     We  mention   his  name. 


28  LESSON   9. 

7.  For  whom  does  the  name  of  a  person  stand?     It  stands  for  the 

person. 

8.  What  kind  of  noun  is  the  name  of  a  person?     It  is  a  proper  noun. 

9.  What  is   a  proper  noun?     The    name   of  a   particular   person   or 

place. 

10.  When    we    say    "George    Washington,"    of    whom    do    we   think? 

We  think  of  the  first  President  of  the  United  States. 

11 .  When  we  mention   the  name  "Martin  Luther,"   of  whom   do  we 

think?     We  think  of  the   great   Reformer. 

12.  So  when  we  mention  the  name  of  God,  of  whom  do  we  think? 

We  think  of  God  himself. 

13.  What  are  some  of  the  names  of  God?     God,  The  Lord,  Jehovah, 

Jesus  Christ,  the  Savior,  Immanuel,   Holy   Ghost. 

14.  Read  the  passage,  Ex.   3,  13-15,  and  tell  me  what  Moses  asked 

God  to  tell  him?     He  asked  God  to  tell  him  His  name. 

15.  What  does  God  say  in  answer  to  this  question?     Verse  14.    "And 

God  said  unto   Moses.  I  am  that  I  am." 

16.  And  again  Verse  15.     "The   Lord   God  of  your  fathers,  the   God 

of  Abraham,  the  God  of  Isaac,  and  the  God  of  Jacob,  hath 
sent  me  unto  you:   this  is  my  name  forever." 

17.  From  this  we  see  that  the  name  of  God  indicates  the  living,  eter- 

nal God  himself.  But  when  we  mention  the  name  of  a  per- 
son we  also  think  of  his  attributes  or  qualities.  The  name 
not  only  tells  us  who,  but  what  he  is.  For  instance,  when 
I  say  "John  Smith,"  what  does  this  name  tell  me  with  ref- 
erence to  the  sex  of  the  person  who  bears  this  name?  It 
tells   me   that   he   is   a    man. 

18.  When  I  hear  the  name  "Methuselah."  of  what  does  it  remind  me 

with  reference  to  the  age  of  the  person  so  named?  That  he 
was  the  oldest  person  who  ever  lived. 

19.  When  I  mention  the  name  "Samson,"  what  does  this  name  re- 

mind me  of?     That  he  was  the  strongest  man. 

20.  When  I  say,  "Solomon,"  of  what  am  I  reminded  with  reference 

to  wisdom?     That  he  was  the  wisest  man  that  ever  lived. 

21.  So  the  names  of  God  remind  us  of  his  attributes.     What  name 

do  we  give-  God  when  we  wish  to  speak  of  him  as  all-power- 
ful?    We  call    him  the   Almighty. 

22.  What  name  indicates  that  he  is  without  beginning  or  end?     The 

Eternal. 

23.  To  whom  else  can  these  names  be  applied?     To  no  one  else. 

24.  Why  not?     Because  no  one  else  has  these  attributes. 

25.  These   names.    "The   Almighty,    The   Eternal,    The    Allwise,"    be- 

cause they  properly  belong  to  God  alone,  are  what  kind  of 
names?     They  are  proper  names. 

26.  Men   sometimes  have  names  which  do  not  at  all  indicate  what 

they  are.  For  instance,  a  girl  with  dark  complexion  and 
black  hair  may  be  called  "Clara,"  that  is  "the  fair  one." 
Or  a  quarrelsome  boy  may  be  called  "Frederick,"  that  is, 
"rich  in  peace."  But  this  is  never  the  case  with  God.  What 
do  His  names  always  indicate?  They  indicate  just  what 
he  is. 

27.  Read   the    passage.   Ex.    34,    5-7.     What   are   we    told   in    the   5th 

verse  that  God  Himself  proclaimed  to  Moses.  He  pro- 
claimed the  name  of  the  Lord. 


LESSON   9.  29 

28.  What  did   he  call    himself,    verse   6?     He    called    Himself,    "The 

Lord,  the   Lord   God." 

29.  And  what  did  he  say  of  his  attributes?     He  called  himself,  mer- 

ciful and  gracious,  long  suffering  and  abundant  in  goodness 
and  truth. 
.jO.     So  in  proclaiming  the  name  of  the  Lord,  what  did  God  mention? 
He   mentioned    his  attributes. 

31.  Read  the  passage,  Deut.  18,  18-19,  and  tell  me  how  God  says  the 

prophet  who  was  to  be  sent  would  speak?  "He  shall  speak 
in  my  name." 

32.  Whose  will  or  command  should  he  make  known  to  the  people? 

The  will  and  command  of  God. 

33.  Whose  name  was  he  to  reveal  to  the  people  when  he  told  them 

the  will  and  command  of  God?  He  was  to  reveal  the  name 
of  God. 

34.  Tlien  M'hat  else  does  the  name  of  God  stand  for?     It  stands  for 

His  will  and  command. 

35.  Where  has  God  revealed  himself,  that  is,  his  name,  to  us?     In 

the   Holy  Scriptures. 

36.  W'hen  a  stranger  introduces   himself  to  us,  what  does  he  men- 

tion?    He  mentions  his  name. 

37.  So  God  introduces  himself  to  us  in  the  Bible.     What  does  he  tell 

us  about  himself?     He  tells  us  his  name. 

38.  In  telling  us  his  name,  he  not  only  gives  us  the  words  by  which 

he  is  called,  but  what  else?     He  tells  us  his  attributes. 

39.  And  what  else?     His  will  and  command. 

40.  God  is  holy,  and  therefore  how  should  we  regard  everything  that 

has  reference  to  him?     We  should  regard  it  as  holy. 

41.  When  we  revere  a  person,  how  do  we  regard  everythiug  that  is 

connected  with  that  person?     We  regard   it  with   reverence. 

42.  So    the    houses    in    which    great    men    lived,    the    liooks    or   pens 

which  they  used,  the  clothing  which  they  wore,  the  arms 
which  thej'  carried  are  prized  very  highly.  Why  is  this 
done?     For  the  sake  of  the  persons  who  used  these  things. 

43.  Your  father  perhaps  gave  you  a  ring  or  a  watch,   why  do  yon 

prize  these  things  so  highly?  For  the  sake  of  my  father 
who  gave  them  to  me. 

44.  Of  whom   do  these  gifts   remind   you?     They   remind    me  of  the 

person  who  gave  them. 

45.  So  it  is  with  other  sacred  or  holy  things.     Why  do  we  spe^k  of 

the  Bible  as  the  "holy"  Bible?     .Because  God  gave  it  to  us. 

46.  Why   do  we   speak   of   Baptism   as   "holy"   baptism?     Because    it 

was  instituted  by  God. 

47.  Why   do    we    call    the    sacrament    of   the   altar   the    "holy"    com- 

munion?    Because   it  is  Christ's  sacrament. 

48.  How    should    we    regard    all    these    things?     We    should    regard 

them   with    reverence. 

49.  Why  should  we  regard  tliem  as  sacred?     Because  they  are  con- 

nected with  God. 

50.  Yes,  the  reverence  whicli  we  owe  God's  name,  also  includes  those 

things  upon  which  the  sacredness  of  his  name  is  reflected. 
Mention  some  such  things.  The  Bible,  the  Sacraments,  the 
Church. 

51.  How  does  God  regard  any  disrespect  shown  these  things?     As  a 

dishonor  toward   himself. 


30  LESSON    lO. 

LESSON    10.     WHAT    IS    FORBIDDEN    IN    THE    SECOND 
COMMANDMENT. 

(Questions  26-32.) 

1.  (26)    "What  is  forbidden  in  tliis  commandment?"    "To  take  the 

name  of  God  in  vain;  that  is,  we  should  not  curse,  swear, 
use  witchcraft,   lie  or  deceive   by   his  name." 

2.  Repeat    the    second    commandment.     "Thou    shalt    not    take    the 

name  of  the  Lord  thy  God   in  vain." 

3.  When  is  a  thing  taken  or  used  in  vain?     When  we  use  it  to  no 

purpose. 

4.  Yes,   or  we  might  say   when  we   use  it  for  purposes  for  which 

it  is  not  intended.  God  has  revealed  his  name  to  ns  for  a 
purpose.  Now  when  we  use  liis  name  thoughtlessly  or 
irreverently,  or  wrongfully,  how  do  we  use  it?  We  use  it 
in  vain. 

5.  In    the   answer    to   question    24    some   wrong   uses    of   the   name 

of  God  are  mentioned.  What  is  the  first  thing  we  should 
not  do  by  the  name  of  God?  We  should  not  curse  by  tne 
name  of  God. 

6.  (27)     "What   does   it  mean   to  curse  by  the  name   of  God?"     "It 

means  to  blaspheme  God,  or  also  by  the  holy  name  of  God 
to  wish  evil  to  one's  self  or  to  our  neighbor." 

7.  Repeat  the  passage  I>ev.  24,  1.5.  16.     "Speak  unto  the  children  of 

Israel,  saying:  Whosoever  curseth  his  God  shall  bear  his 
sin,  and  he  that  blasphemeth  the  name  of  the  Lord,  he  shall 
surely  be  put  to  death,  and  all  the  congregation  shall  cer- 
tainly stone  him." 

8.  What  two  words  are  here  used  to  express  the  same  thing?     The 

words    "curse"    and    "blaspheme." 

9.  To  blaspheme  means  to  speak  sneeringly  of  God,  to  insult  him 

or  express  hatred  of  him  or  his  word.  What  awful  punish- 
ment was  to  be  visited  on  him  who  cursed  or  blasphemed 
God?     He  was  to  be  put  to  death. 

10.  What   else   is   meant   by   cursing    besides    blasphemy?     To    wish 

evil  to  one's  self  or  to  our  neighbor  in  the  name  of  God. 

11.  What  does   one  wish   himself  or  another  when   he  curses   him? 

He   wishes  him   evil. 

12.  It  is  bad  enough  to  wish  any  one  evil,  but  in  whose  name  does 

one  wish  evil  who  curses?  He  wishes  evil  in  the  name  of 
God. 

13.  Who    does    he    wish    should    do    the    evil    to    the    one    whom    he 

curses?     He  wishes  that  God  should  do   him  evil. 

14.  Yes,   for  instance   when   a   man   wishes   that    God    should   damn 

another,  he  drags  God  down  to  be  a  partner  of  his  own 
hatred  and  wickedness.  Repeat  the  passage,  James  3,  9.  10. 
"With  the  tongue  bless  we  God,  even  the  Father;  and  there- 
with curse  we  men,  which  are  made  after  the  similitude  of 
God.  Out  of  the  same  mouth  proceedeth  blessing  and  curs- 
ing.    My  brethren,  these  things  ought  not  so  to  be." 

15.  What  two  things  come  out  of  the  same  mouth?     Out  of  the  same 

mouth  proceed  blessing  and  cursing. 

16.  How  are  these  two  things  related  to  each  other?     The  one  is  the 

opposite  of  the  other. 


LESSON    lO.  3l 

17.  If  cursing  means  to  wish  evil   in   the  name  of  God.   what  does 

blessing  mean?     It  means  to  wish   good. 

18.  For  which  of  these  two  things  should  we  use  our  tongues?     We 

should   use  them  for  blessing  only. 

19.  The  same  is  taught  in  Rom.  12,  14.     Repeat  the  passage.     "Bless 

them  which  persecute  you,  bless  and  curse  not." 

20.  What   else   is   forbidden   in   the  name   of    God    besides    cursing? 

Swearing  is  also  forbidden. 

21.  What  kind  of  language  is  cursing  and  thoughtless  or  false  swear- 

ing?    It  is  profane  language. 

22.  (28)     "What  does  it  mean  to  swear  by  the   name  of  God?"     "It 

means  to  appeal  to  God  as  witness  of  the  truth  and  avenger 
of  the  untruth." 

23.  To  swear  means  to  take  an  oath.     Upon  whom  do  we  call  when 

we  take  an  oath?     We  call  upon  God. 

24.  Yes,  we  appeal  to  him,  as  St.  Paul  did  in  2  Cor.  1,  23.     Read  the 

passage.     "Moreover  I  call  God  for  a  record." 

25.  The  same  he  does  in  Rom.  1,  9.     Read  this  passage.     "For  God 

is  my  witness." 

26.  For  what  purpose  does  he  call  upon  God?     He  calls  upon   God 

as  a  witness. 

27.  What  is  a  witness  to  do?     He  is  to  testify  to  what  he  has  seen 

or  heard. 

28.  In  taking  an  oath  what  do  we  ask  God  to  witness?     To  witness 

the  truth  of  what  we  are  saying. 

29.  Why  is  God  able  to  do  this?     Because  he  is  everywhere  present, 

sees   and    hears  all   things. 

30.  But  for  what  other  purpose  do  we  call  upon  God  when  we  take 

an  oath?     We  also  call  upon  him  as  avenger  of  the  untruth. 

31.  What  does  it  mean  to  avenge?     It  means  to  punish. 

32.  When  any  one  is  put  under  oath  he  is  asked  to  stand  up,  to  hold 

up  his  right  hand,  to  lay  his  hand  on  the  Bible,  or  to  kiss 
the  Bible.  The  officer  says:  "You  do  solemnly  Sivear  by 
Almighty  God,  etc.  The  taking  of  an  oath  is  therefore  what 
kind  of  a  matter?     It  is  a  very  solemn  matter. 

33.  (29)     "Dare  we,  then,  according  to  this  commandment  not  swear 

at  all?"  "We  may  when  the  honor  of  God,  our  neighbor's 
need  or  the  courts  demand  it." 

34.  When  may  we,   first  of  all,  take  an   oath?     When   the   honor  of 

God  demands  it. 

35.  In  Deut.  6,  13.  God  commands  the  taking  of  an  oath.     Repeat  the 

passage.  "Thou  shalt  fear  the  Lord  thy  God,  and  shalt  serve 
him,  and  shalt  swear  by  his  name." 

36.  The  same  is  said  in  Jer.  4,  2.     Repeat  this  passage.     "And  thou 

shalt  swear,  The  Lord  liveth  in  truth,  in  judgment  and  in 
righteousness." 

37.  When  the  Savior  stood  before  the  high  priest  he  was  asked  un- 

der oath  whether  he  was  the  Son  of  God.  Matt.  26,  63.  64. 
His  own  honor  and  the  honor  of  God  was  at  stake.  What 
did  he  do  under  these  circumstances?  He  answered  under 
oath. 

38.  Under  what  other  circumstances  may  we  take  an  oath?     When 

our  neighbor's  need  demands  it. 


32  LESSON  10 

39.  Repeat   the   passage   Heb.    6,    16.     "For   men    verily    swear   by   a 

greater:  and  an  oath  for  confirmation  is  to  them  an  end  of 
all  strife." 

40.  Yes,    an    oath    serves    to   confirm   or   make    sure   our    testimony. 

Who  alone  has  a  right  to  demand  an  oath  of  us?  The  courts, 
or  the  government  alone  has  this  right. 

41.  In  whose  name  do  the  courts  act  when  they  demand  an  oath? 

They  act  in  the  name  of  God. 

42.  (30)     "What    swearing  is    forbidden?"    "Thoughtless    and    false 

swearing." 

43.  The  oaths  that  you  hear  constantly  on  the  streets  in  ordinary 

conversation  from  the  lips  of  wicked  men  who  do  not  think 
of  what  they  are  doing,  are  what  kind  of  oaths?  They  are 
thoughtless  oaths. 

44.  When  men  on  entering  the  many  so-called  secret  societies  of  our 

day,  bind  themselves  under  oath  to  keep  secret  what  shall 
be  told  them,  not  knowing  whether  these  things  may  be  kept 
secret  with  a  good  conscience,  what  kind  of  swearing  is 
this?     It  is  thoughtless  and  therefore  wicked  swearing. 

45.  Read  the  passage  Matt.  14,  7.    "Whereupon  he  promised  with  an 

oath  to  give  her  whatsoever  she  would  ask." 

46.  King  Herod  promised  the  daughter  of  Herodias,  who  had  danced 

before  him,  that  he  would  give  her  anything  she  would  ask, 
not  knowing  what  she  might  ask.  What  kind  of  an  oath  was 
this?     It  was  a  thoughtless,  wicked  oath. 

47.  Now  repeat  what  the  Savior  says  Matt.  5,  33-37.     "Again,  ye  have 

heard  that  it  has  been  said  by  them  of  old  time.  Thou  shalt 
not  foreswear  thyself,  but  shalt  perform  unto  the  Lord  thine 
oaths:  but  I  say  unto  you,  swear  not  at  all;  neither  by 
heaven;  for  it  is  God's  throne:  nor  by  the  earth  for  it  is  his 
footstool:  neither  by  Jerusalem,  for  it  is  the  city  of  the  great 
King.  Neither  shalt  thou  swear  by  thy  head,  because  thou 
canst  not  make  one  hair  white  or  black.  But  let  your  com- 
munication be,  yea,  yea;  nay,  nay:  for  whatsoever  is  more 
than  these  cometh  of  evil." 

48.  What   are    thoughtless    oaths?     They   are    oaths   that   are    taken 

without  thinking. 

49.  Yes,   such  oaths  as:      O  Lord,  by  Christ,   by  God   and  the  like, 

as  we  hear  them  on  the  streets  daily.  How  should  we  re- 
gard such  thoughtless  oaths?  We  should  regard  them  as 
wicked   and   profane. 

50.  What  should   an   honest  man's   word   be    equal  to?     An    honest 

man's  word  should  be  as  good  as  his  oath. 

51.  What  other  swearing  is  forbidden  besides  thoughtless  swearing? 

False  swearing  is  also  forbidden. 

52.  Repeat  the  passage  Lev.  19,  12.    "Ye  shall  not  swear  by  my  name 

falsely,  neither  shalt  thou  profane  the  name  of  thy  God;  for 
I  am  the  Lord  your  God." 

53.  What  is  here  forbidden?     To  swear  falsely  by  the  name  of  God. 

54.  What  does  it  mean  to  swear  falsely?     It  means  to  swear  to  a  lie. 

55.  False  swearing  is  called  perjury,  and  is  punished  by  the  courts 

as  a  crime.  What  does  one  who  swears  falsely  ask  God  to 
do?     He  asks  God  to  punish  him. 


LESSON    10.  33 

56.  To  take  a  false  oath  is  to  commit  perjury-     The  perjurer  asks 

God  to  withdraw  from  him  every  blessing,  to  exclude  him 
from  heaven,  to  condemn  him  to  hell.  An  example  of  such  a 
false  oath  we  have  in  Peter  during  the  trial  of  Christ  before 
the  high  priest.  Can  you  tell  me  what  awful  sin  Peter 
there  committed?  He  denied  with  an  oath  that  he  even 
knew  the  Savior. 

57.  An  example  of  how  the  wicked  secretly  band  themselves  together 

by  oaths  is  recorded  in  Acts  2.3,  12.  Read  the  passage.  "And 
when  it  was  day  certain  of  the  Jews  banded  together,  and 
bound  themselves  under  a  curse,  saying  that  they  would 
neither  eat  nor  drink  till  they  had  killed  Paul." 

58.  We  should  not  curse  nor  swear  by  the  name  of  God,   but  what 

else  is  forbidden  in  the  second  commandment?  We  should 
not  use  witchcraft. 

59.  (31)     "What  does  it  mean  to  use  witchcraft  by  the  name  of  God?" 

"It  means  not  only,  with  the  help  of  the  devil  to  harm  our 
neighbor  in  his  person  or  property,  but  also  by  a  supersti- 
tious abuse  of  God's  name  and  word,  or  by  other  means, 
seemingly  to  work  good;  for  instance  to  drive  away  sickness 
in  man  and  beast,  discover  concealed  things,  stop  blood  and 
the  like." 

60.  With  whose  help   do   those    who   use   witchcraft   accomplish   the 

things  which  they  do?  They  do  these  things  with  the  help 
of  the  devil. 

61.  What  do  such  people  do  or  pretend  to  do?     To  harm  their  neigh- 

bor, or  even  seemingly  to  work  good. 

62.  What  are   some  of   the   things    which   they   pretend   to    do?     To 

drive  away  sickness,  discover  concealed  things,  stop  blood 
and  the  like. 

63.  How  do  they  accomplish  these  things?     By  a  superstitious  abuse 

of  God's  name  and   Word  or  other  means. 

64.  Most  of  these  things  are  mere  deception.     But  where  such  things 

are  really  accomplished  they  are  wrong,  if  done  by  means 
which  God  has  forbidden.  WUiat  does  God  say  of  all  such 
practices,  Dent.  18,  10-12?  "There  shall  not  be  found  among 
you  any  one  that  maketh  his  son  or  daughter  to  pass  through 
the  fire,  or  that  useth  divination,  or  an  observer  of  times,  or 
an  enchanter,  or  a  witch,  or  a  charmer,  or  a  consulter  of 
familiar  spirits,  or  a  wizard,  or  a  necromancer.  For  all  that 
do  these   things  are  an   abomination   unto  the   Lord." 

65.  How  does  God  regard  all  such  practices  as  fortune  telling,  pow- 

wowing, calling  the  spirits  of  the  dead  and  the  like?  He 
hates  them,  they  are  an  abomination  to  him. 

66.  The  account  written  in  1  Sam.  28,  5-25,  tells  what  king  Saul  did 

after  the  Spirit  of  God  had  departed  from  him  on  account  of 
his  disobedience.  For  whom  did  he  send?  He  sent  for  a 
woman  having  a  familiar  spirit,  a  witch. 

67.  Yes,    people    who   believe    in   wizards   and   witches   plainly   show 

that  they  do  not  stand  right  with  God.  What  do  they  lack? 
They   lack  confidence  in  God. 

68.  What  else  is  forbidden  in  the  second  commandment  besides  curs- 

ing, swearing  and  using  witchcraft?  Lying  and  deceiving  by 
his   name   is   also  forbidden. 

69.  (32)     "What  does  it  mean  to  lie  and  deceive  by  the  name  of  God?" 

"It  means  to  palm  off  false  doctrine  as  the  Word  of  God,  or 
to    have   God's   word   on   the    lips   only." 


S4  LESSON    II. 

70.  What  is  a  lie?     A  lie   is  an  untruth. 

71.  But  what  special  lying  is  forbidden  in  the  second  commandment? 

Lying  and  deceiving  by  the  name  of  God. 

72.  Repeat  the  passage  Jer.   23,   31.   32.     "Behold    I   am    against  the 

prophets,  saith  the  Lord,  that  use  their  tongues,  and  say: 
He  saith,  Behold  I  am  against  them  that  prophesy  false 
dreams,  saith  the  Lord,  and  do  tell  them,  and  cause  my  peo- 
ple to  err  by  their  lies,  and  by  their  lightness,  yet  I  sent 
them  not,  nor  commanded  them:  therefore,  they  shall  not 
profit  this  people  at  all,  saith  the   Lord." 

73.  What  kind  of  prophets  were  these  whom  God  had  not  sent  and 

who  prophesied  false  dreams?     They  were  false  prophets. 

74.  What  do  false  prophets  teach  or  palm  off  as  God's  Word?     They 

palm  off  false  doctrine  as  God's  Word. 

75.  Whose  name  do  they  use  to  cover  up  this  false  doctrine?     They 

use  God's  name. 

76.  But  there  is  another  way  of  lying  and  deceiving  in  the  name  ot 

God.     What  is  it?     To  have  God's  word  on  the  lips  only. 

77.  Repeat  the  passage  Matt.  1.5.  8.     "This  people  draweth  nigh  unto 

me  with  their  mouth,  and  honoreth  me  with  their  lips,  but 
their  heart  is  far  from  me." 

78.  Give  also  the  passage  Ps.  50,  16.  17.     "But  unto  the  wicked  God 

saith:  What  hast  thou  to  do  to  declare  my  statutes,  or  that 
thou  shouldest  take  my  covenant  in  thy  mouth?  seeing  that 
thou  hatest  instruction,  and  castest  my  word  behind  thee." 

79.  And  again  Matt.  7,  21.     "Not  every  one  that  saith  unto  me.  Lord, 

Lord,  shall  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven;  but  he  that 
doeth  the  will  of  my  Father  which  is  in  heaven." 

80.  When  men  use  an  outward  appearance  of  piety  as  a  cloak  with 

which  to  cover  up  their  wickedness,  what  do  we  call  them? 
We  call  them  hypocrites. 

81.  Whose  name  do  hypocrites  abuse?    They  abuse  the  name  of  God. 


LESSON    11.      WHAT   IS   REQUIRED   IN   THE  SECOND 
COMMANDMENT. 

(Questions  33-37.) 

1.  (33)     "What  is  enjoined  upon  us  in  this  commandment?"     "That 

we   use  the    name    of   God    aright;    or  call    upon    it    in   every 
trouble,   pray,   praise  and  give   thanks." 

2.  Where  has  God  revealed  his  name,  that  is  himself,  to  us?     He 

has  revealed   himself  to  us  in  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

3.  He  has  done  this  for  a  purpose.     In  what  relation  does  he  stand  to 

us  and  we  to  him?     He   is  our  Father,  and   we  are   his  chil- 
dren. 

4.  As  a  Father  God  speaks  to  us  in  his  word,  and  what  should  we 

also  do  to  him?     We  should  also  speak  to  him. 

5.  When  do  we  do  this?     We  do  this  when  we  pray. 

6.  When  does  a  child  call  its  father  by  name?     When  it  has  some- 

thing to  ask  of  him. 

7 .  So   we  should  call  upon  the   name  of  God.     When,  particularly, 

should  we  call  upon  the  name  of  God?     We  should  call  upon 
him  in  every  trouble. 


LESSON    II.  3^5 

8.  (34)     "What  does   it  mean  to  call   upon  God   in   every  trouble?" 

"It  means  in  every  need  to  flee  to  God  alone  for  refuge,  and 
in  childlike  trust  seek  help  of  Him." 

9.  To  whom  should  we  flee  in  every  need?     We  should  flee  to  God. 

10.  Repeat   the   passage,    Ps.    50,   15.     "Call    upon    me   in    the   day   of 

trouble;    I   will  deliver  thee,  and  thou  shalt  glorify  me." 

11.  What  has  God  promised  to  do  when  you  call  upon  him  in  trouble? 

He  says,  "I  will  deliver  thee." 

12.  Jacob  was  in  danger  when  his  brother  Esau  went  out  with  400 

soldiers  to  take  revenge  on  him  as  he  returned  to  his  home 
in  Canaan.  What  did  Jacob  do  in  his  great  trouble?  Turn 
to  Gen.  32,  11,  and  answer.  He  prayed  to  God:  "Deliver  me, 
I  pray  thee,  from  the  hand  of  my  brother,  from  the  hand  of 
Esau." 

13.  David  was  in  danger  of  his  life,  for  Saul  sought  to  kill  him.     Tell 

me  from  Ps.  35,  17,  what  he  did  in  such  trouble.  He  called 
on  God,  saying:  "Lord  .  .  .  rescue  my  soul  from  their 
destructions." 

14.  What  did  the  Syrophenician  woman  do  when  she  was  in  great 

trouble  on  account  of  her  daughter?  Matt.  15,  25.  She  fell 
down  at  Jesus'  feet  and  prayed:    "Lord,  help  me." 

15.  The    ten   lepers   were   in    great   trouble,   for   they    were   afflicted 

with  an  incurable  disease  What  did  they  do  when  they  saw- 
Jesus?  Luke  17,  13.  'They  lifted  up  their  voices  and  said, 
Jesus,  Master,  have  mercy  on  us." 

16.  But  we  are  to  flee  to  God  in  every  need.     That  is,  not  only  when 

we  are  in  bodily  trouble,  but  also  when  we  are  in  spiritual 
need.  What  was  the  matter  with  the  poor  publican  who 
stood  in  the  temple  and  would  not  so  much  as  lift  up  his 
eyes  unto  heaven?     He  was  in  trouble  on  account  of  his  sins. 

17.  What  did  he  do  in  this  trouble?     He  prayed,  "God  be  merciful  to 

me  a   sinner." 

18.  David  also  is  an  example  of  how  we  should  call  upon  God  when 

in  trouble  on  account  of  our  sins.  Read  the  first  verse  of 
the  51st  Psalm.  "Have  mercy  upon  me,  O  God,  according 
to  thy  loving  kindness:  according  to  the  multitude  of  thy 
tender  mercies  blot  out  my  transgressions." 

19.  Tell   me  from  the  answer  to   question   34,   how   we   should   seek 

help  from  God.     "In  childlike  trust." 

20.  This   childlike   trust  is   set  forth  in   Ps.    145,    18-19.     Repeat  the 

passage.  "The  Lord  is  nigh  unto  all  them  that  call  upon 
him,  to  all  that  call  upon  him  in  truth.  He  will  fulfill  the 
desire  of  them  that  fear  him:  he  also  will  hear  their  cry, 
and  will  save  them." 

21.  The  Catechism  not  only  says  that  we  should  call  upon  the  name 

of  God  in  every  trouble;  what  else  does  it  say  we  should  do? 
We  should  "pray,  praise,  and  give  thanks." 

22.  (35)     "What  does   it  mean   to   pray?"     "It   means  to    lift    up   our 

heart  in  true  devotion  to  God  and  ask  for  every  good  thing 
in  Jesus'  name." 

23.  When  we  pray  we  not  only  lift  u])  our  voices  lo  Gud  l)u(   what  do 

we  lift  up?     We  lift  up  our  hearts. 

24.  Yes,  prayer  is  not  the  mere  repetition  of  words,  but  it  is  a  mat- 

ter of  the  heart.  How  should  we  lift  up  our  hearts  to  God? 
We  should  lift  up  our  hearts  in  true  devotion, 


36  LESSON    II. 

25.     What  may  we   ask   for,   according  to   question   35?     "For  every 
good  thing." 

2B.     That  is,  for  everything  whicli  we  need.     In  whose  name  may  we 
ask  for  these  things?     We  should  ask  in  Jesus'  name. 

27.  We  poor  sinners  are  not  worthy  of  anything,  and  if  we  came  be- 

fore God  depending  on  our  own  goodness  we  certainly  would 
get  nothing.  But  we  depend  upon  Jesus,  who  is  God's  own 
dear.  Son,  and  who  reconciled  us  with  God  and  told  us  to 
pray  to  his  and  our  Father.  On  his  account  alone  we  may 
hope  to  be  heard  when  we  pray.  What  then  does  it  mean 
to  pi'ay  in  the  name  of  Jesus?  It  means  to  ask  for  his 
sake,  and   because  he  told  us. 

28.  Repeat  the  passage,  1  Tim.  2,  1.     "I  exhort,  therefore,  that,  first 

of  all,  supplications,  prayers,  intercessions,  and  giving  of 
thanks  be  made  for  all  men." 

29.  We  should  not  only  pray  occasionally  when   we  are   in  special 

trouble;  for  what  does  the  apostle  say,  Eph.  6,  18?  "Pray- 
ing always  with  all  prayer  and  supplication  in  the  Spirit, 
and  watching  thereunto  with  all  perseverance  and  supplica- 
tion for  all  saints." 

30.  And  also,  1  Thess.  5,  17.     "Pray  without  ceasing." 

31.  Yes,   we  should   live   every   day   in    the   spirit   of   prayer.     What 

else  should  we  use  God's  name  for,  besides  prayer?  We 
should  also  praise  and  give  thanks. 

32.  (36)     "What  does  it  mean  to  praise  and  give  thanks?"     "It  means 

to  laud  and  extol  God  for  his  glorious  attributes  and  works, 
and  his  manifold  blessings." 

33.  How  do  we  speak  of  a  man   when   we   praise   him?     We   speak 

well  of  him. 

34.  When  Admiral  Dewey  destroyed  the  Spanish  fleet  in  the  harbor 

of  Manila,  what  was  everybody  talking  about?  About  what 
great  things  Dewey  had  done. 

35.  When  David  slew  Goliatli,  what  did  tlie  women  of  Israel  say  and 

sing  about  him?  Read  1  Sam.  18,  6-7.  "Saul  has  slain  his 
thousands,  but   David   his  ten  thousands." 

36.  So    when  -we   praise   God   we    say    great   things    of   him.      What 

great  things  can  we  ?ay  of  God  as  to  his  attributes?  That 
He   is  almighty,  eternal,  allwise,  merciful  and  truthful. 

37.  And   what  great  things   can   we   say  as   to   his   works?     That   He 

created  the  world.  That  He  preserves  it.  That  He  sent  us 
the  Savior. 

38.  Yes,  children,  these  things  are  well  worth  speaking  of,  and  when 

we  speak  of  them  and  make  them  known,  what  do  we  do? 
We  praise  God. 

39.  Repeat  the  passage   Ps.    103,    1-2.     "Bless   the    Lord,   O    my   soul, 

and  all  that  is  within  me,  bless  his  Holy  name.  Bless  the 
Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  forget  not  all  his  benefits. 

40.  What   is    here   said    about    the   name   of   the    Lord?     We   should 

bless  it. 
41  .      To  bless  the  Lord  means  to  praise  him.     What  does  the  Psalmist 

say  about  this,  Ps.   146,   2?      "While   I    live  will    I    praise  the 

Lord:      I    will    sing    praises    unto   my    God    while    I    have   any 

being." 
42.      In  what  other  way  should  we  use  God's  name  besides  in  prayer 

and  praise?     We  should  also  give  thanks. 


LESSON   12.  37 

43.  When  should  we  give  thanks?     When  some  one  has  done  us  a 

favor. 

44.  For  what  shouhl  we  give  God  thanks,  accoi'ding  to  the  answer 

to  question  3G?      "For  His  manifold  blessings." 

45.  What  are  some  of  these  hlessings?   Tell  me  by  repeating  Luther's 

explanation  of  the  First  Article.  "I  believe  that  God  has 
made  me  and  all  creatures;  that  he  has  given  me  my  body 
and  soul,  eyes,  ears,  and  all  my  members,  my  reason  and 
all  my  senses,  and  still  preserves  them;  also  clothing  and 
shoes,  meat  and  drink,  house  and  home,  wife  and  children, 
fields,  cattle,  and  all  my  goods;  that  he  richly  and  daily  pro- 
vides me  with  all  that  I  need  to  support  this  body  and  life; 
that  he  defends  me  against  all  danger,  and  guards  and  pro- 
tects me  from  all  evil;  and  all  this  purely  out  of  fatherly, 
divine  goodness  and  mercy,  without  any  merit  or  worthiness 
in  me;  for  all  which  it  is  my  duty  to  thank  and  praise,  to 
serve  and  obey  him.     This  is  most  certainly  true." 

46.  What  has  induced  God  to  bestow  such  blessings  upon  you?     All 

this  he  does  "out  of  fatherly,  divine  goodness  and  mercy." 

47.  What  do  you  owe  him  for  this  goodness?     ''For  all  this  it  is  my 

duty  to  thank  and  praise,  to  serve  and  obey  him." 

48.  To  what  does  the  106th  Psalm,  verse  1,  admonish  us?     "O  give 

thanks  unto  the  Lord,  for  he  is  good;  for  his  mercy  en- 
dureth  forever." 

49.  What   does   the   Apostle   Paul   say,   Eph.   5,   20?     "Giving   thanks 

always  for  all  things  unto  God  and  the  Father  in  the  name 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

50.  You,  remember   the    story  of   the   ten   lepers.     When    .Tesus    had 

healed  them,  what  did  one  of  them  do?  Luke  17,  16.  He 
fell  down  at  Jesus'  feet  and  gave  thanks. 

51.  (37)    "What  is  threatened  in  this  commandment?"   "The  Lord  will 

not  hold  him  guiltless,  that  taketh  his  name  In  vain."  (Ex. 
20,  7.  Deut.  5,  11.)  "I  will  be  a  swift  witness  against  the 
sorcerers,  and  against  the  adulterers  and  against  false  swear- 
ers."   (Mai.  3,  5.     Ezek.  17,  11-20.) 

52.  When  God  says  he  will  not  hold  a  man  guiltless,  how  does  he 

regard   such   a  man?     He   regards  him   guilty. 

53.  Yes,  God  will  not  excuse  a  guilty  man,  but  what  will  He  do?     He 

will  punish  him. 

54.  Against  whom  will  God  be  a  swift  witness,  that  is,  to  whom  will 

he  mete  out  swift  justice?  Against  sorcerers,  and  against 
adulterers,  and  against  false  swearers. 


LESSON    12.     THE    LORD'S    DAY. 

(Questions  38-44.) 

1.  (38)     "Which  is  the  third  commandment?"     "Remember  the  Sab- 

bath  Day  to  keep  it  holy." 

2.  (39)     "What   does   this   mean?"     "We   should   fear  and    love    God 

that  we   may  not  despise  preaching   and    his  word,   but   hold 
it  sacred  and  gladly  hear  and   learn   it." 

3.  (40)     "What  is  the  Holy  Day  or  Sabbath?"     "The  day  on  which 

we  rest  or  cease  from   labor."     Gen.  2,  2.  3. 


38  LESSON    12. 

4.  Turn  to  this  passage  and  read  it.     "And  on  the  seventh  day  God 

ended  his  work  which  he  had  made;  and  rested  on  the  sev- 
enth day,  from  all  his  work  which  he  had  made.  And  God 
blessed  the  seventh  day,  and  sanctified  it;  because  that  in  it 
he  had  rested  from  all  his  work  which  God  created  and 
made." 

5.  In  the  acccRint  of  the  giving  of  the  law,  Ex.  20,  9-11,  this  com- 

mandment is  given  at  great  length.  Let  us  read  the  pas- 
sage. In  how  many  days  did  God  make  heaven  and  earth? 
He  made   heaven  and  earth   in  six  days. 

6.  What  did  God  do  on  the  seventh  day?     He  rested  from  all  his 

work. 

7.  What  did  God  do  with  the  seventh  day?     He  blessed  the  seventh 

day  and  sanctified  it. 

8.  That  means  he  set  it  apart  as  a  holy  day.     As  he  himself  had 

rested  after  his  work,  what  does  he  also  ask  us  to  do?  He 
asks  us  to  rest  after  work. 

9.  God  made   man  for  work,   but  he   is  not  to  work   all   the  time. 

What  are  we  in  need  of  after  work?      We  are  in  need  of  rest. 

10.  This  is  indicated  by  the  name  which  God  gave  the  seventh  day. 

What  did  he  call  it?     He  called  it  the  Sabbath. 

11.  The   word    "Sabbath"   means    rest.     But   rest   was   not   the   only 

oljject  that  God  had  in  view  when  he  set  apart  and  sanc- 
tified the  seventh  day.  Read  the  passage  Lev.  23,  3.  "Six 
days  shall  work  be  done;  but  the  seventh  day  is  the  sabbath 
of  rest.,  a   holy  convocation." 

12.  Here  the  saljbath  is  called  not  only  a  day  of  rest,  but  what  else 

is  it  called?     It  is  called  a  Holy  Convocation. 

13.  That  means  a  day  on  which  the  people  were  to  come  together. 

For  what  purpose  were  they  to  assemble?  •  They  were  to 
come   together  for  worship. 

14.  So  the  Sabbath  was  not  only  to  be  a  day  of  rest,  but  what  else? 

It  was  also  to  be  a  day  of  worship. 

15.  To  whom  did  God  first  give  his  law?     He  gave   it  to  the  Jews. 

16.  We  have  already  seen  that  some  things  in  God's  law  concerned 

the  Jews  only.  They  were  God's  peculiar,  chosen  people. 
Ho  gave  them  regulations  concerning  sacrifices,  distinction 
of  meats  and  special  holy  days,  which  do  not  concern  all 
men.  So  the  setting  apart  of  a  peculiar  day  of  rest  and 
worship  concerned  the  Jews  only.  Of  whom  does  God  re- 
quire rest  and  worship?  He  requires  rest  and  worship  of 
all  men. 

17.  Of  whom  did  he  require  that  this  rest  and  worship  be  done  on 

the  seventh  day?     This  he  required  of  the  Jews  only. 

18.  The  Old  Testament  was  in  force  up  to  whose  coming?     Up  to 

the  coming  of  Christ. 

19.  When    Christ   came,   what   was   done   with   all   the    special   laws 

which  concerned  the  Jews  only?  They  were  done  away 
with. 

20.  (41)     "Why  do  we  Christians  no  longer  keep  the  seventh  day  of 

the  week,  as  did  the  children  of  God  in  the  Old  Testament?" 
"Because  God's  children  in  the  New  Testament  are  no  longer 
bound  to  a  fixed  day  and  to  its  legal  observance." 

21.  Who  were  the  children  of  God  in  the  Old  Testament?     The  Jews 

were  God's  children   in  the  Old  Testament. 


LESSON     12.  Bd 

22.  What  day  of  the  week  had  God  set  apart  and  fixed  as  their  day 

of  rest  and  worship?     He  had  set  apart  the  seventh  day. 

23.  When    Jesiis'   disciples,    on   the   Sabbath   day,   walked   through   a 

grain  field  and  plucked  the  ears  and  ate,  the  Jews  thought 
they  committed  a  great  sin,  as  we  see  from  Matt.  12,  1-13. 
But  what  did  the  Savior  say  with  reference  to  the  Sabbath? 
"The  Son  of  man  is  Lord  even  of  the  Sabbath  day." 

24.  Yes,  this  appointment  of  a  fixed  day  was  not  one  of  the  unalter- 

able things  in  God's  law.  It  had  served  its  purpose  when 
the  Lord  of  the  Sabbath  had  appeared.  How  long  was  it  to 
be  in  force?     It  was  to  be  in  force  until  Christ  came. 

25.  What  does  St.  Paul  say,  Col.  2,  16-17?     "Let  no  man,  therefore, 

judge  you  in  meat  or  drink,  or  in  respect  of  a  holy  day,  or  of 
the  new  moon,  or  of  the  Sabbath  days;  which  are  a  shadow 
of  things  to  come;   but  the  body  is  of  Christ." 

26.  The  apostle  here  puts  the  law  of  the  Sabbath  days  in  the  sam.e 

class  with  what  other  laws?  With  the  laws  concerning 
meats,  drinks  and   holidays. 

27.  God  had  given   the  Jews   special  laws  with   reference  to  meats. 

What  kind  of  meat,  for  instance,  were  they  not  allowed  to 
eat?     They  were   not  allowed  to   eat   pork. 

28.  He  had  also  given  them  special  laws  with  reference  to  holidays. 

What  feast  were  they  to  keep  in  memory  of  their  deliver- 
ance from  the  bondage  of  Egypt?  The  feast  of  the  Pass- 
over. 

29.  The  apostle  in  Col.  2,  16-17,  says.  Let  no  man  judge  you  in  re- 

spect to  these  things.  He  means,  let  no  man  condemn  you 
■for  not  keeping  these  special  laws.  For  of  whom  were  all 
these  things  to  be  a  shadow?  They  were  to  be  a  shadow  of. 
Christ. 

30.  The  shadow  of  a  thing  is  cast  before,  and  is  a  sign  or  picture  of 

the  thing.  But  when  have  we  no  need  of  the  shadow  or  pic- 
ture of  a  thing?     When  we  have  the  thing  itself, 

31.  The  Old   Testament  was  a  time  of  fixed  forms  and  special  ap- 

pointments. God  dealt  with  the  Jews  as  with  children 
whom  we  keep  under  strict  regulations,  but  as  children 
become  older  they  are  allowed  more  liberty.  So  St.  Paul 
speaks  of  the  liberty  of  God's  children  in  the  New  Testa- 
ment. Gal.  5,  1.  Repeat  the  passage.  "Stand  fast,  there- 
fore, in  the  liberty  wherewith  Christ  hath  made  us  free,  and 
be  not  entangled  again   in  the  yoke  of  bondage." 

32.  What  does  he  say  Christ  did  for  us?     He  made  us  free. 

33.  Yes,   and   he  means   that  Christ  made   us  free  from  the   special 

laws  and  regulations  which  rested  as  a  yoke  on  the  Jews, 
and  among  these  is  also  the  appointment  of  a  fixed  day  and 
its  legal  observance.  What  was  the  object  of  the  appoint- 
ment of  the  Sabbath?     Its  object  was  rest  and  worship. 

34.  This  God  asks  of  all  men,  but  what  can  you  say  with  reference 

to  the  time  for  such  rest  and  worship?  This  is  left  to  our 
own  judgment. 

35.  So  we  conclude  from  what  the  apostle  says.  Rom.  14,  5-6.     Read. 

"One  man  esteemeth  one  day  above  another;  another  es- 
teemeth  every  day  alike.  Let  every  man  be  fully  persuaded 
in  his  own  mind.  He  that  regardeth  the  day,  regardeth  it 
unto  the  Lord;  and  he  that  regardeth  not  the  day,  to  the 
Lord    he   doth    not   regard    it." 


40  LESSON    12. 

36.  To  a  Christian  one  day  is  in  itself  not  holier  than  another.     In 

the  first  church  at  Jerusalem  the  believers  met  every  day 
for  worship,  as  we  see  from  Acts  2,  46.  Read  the  passage. 
"And  they  continued  daily  with  one  accord  In  the  temple." 

37.  (42)     "Why  then  do  we  Christians  keep  a  certain  day?"       "Be- 

cause It  is  in  keeping  with  good  order  to  have  an  appointed 
day  for  the  public  worship  required   by  God." 

38.  What  then  is  also  required  of  us   Christians?     The   public  wor- 

ship of  God  is  required  of  us. 

39.  God  not  only  asks  everyone  of  us  to  worship  him  in  private,  but 

what  else  does  he  require?  That  we  all  come  together  and 
worship  him  in  public. 

40.  When  men  are  to  meet  for  any  purpose,  what  is  necessary  as  to 

time?  It  is  necessary  that  they  agree  upon  and  appoint  a 
time  for  meeting. 

41.  So  what  is  necessary  for  public  worship?     It  is   necessary  that 

we  have  a  set  time. 

42.  What  does  the  Apostle  say,   1   Cor.   14,   40?     "Let  all  things  be 

done  decently  and   in  order." 

43  Christians  are  to  do  everything  orderly,  and  this  applies  to  their 
public  worship  also.  What  kind  of  a  matter  is  the  appoint- 
ment of  a  special  day  for  public  worship?  It  Is  a  matter  of 
order. 

44.  Which  day  has  been  set  apart  as  our  day  of  rest  and  public  wor- 

ship? Sunday  has  been  set  apart  as  a  day  of  rest  and  public 
worship. 

45.  Which  day  of  the  week  is  Sunday?     Sunday  is  the  first  day  of 

the  week. 

46.  (43)     "Why  do  we  take  Sunday?"      "Because  it  is  the  day  of  the 

resurrection  of  Christ,  and  the  church  has  kept  it  since  the 
time  of  the  Apostles." 

47.  Christians  were  at  liberty  to  meet  for  worship  any  day  of  the 

week.  Why  did  the  first  day  of  the  week  seem  to  them  the 
most  appropriate?  Because  it  was  the  day  on  which  the 
Lord  Jesus  arose  from  the  dead. 

48.  Yes,  and  this  resurrection  of  the  Savior  is  of  such  great  impor- 

tance that  we  do  well  to  think  of  it  often  and  celebrate  it 
every  week.     When  do  we  do  this?     We  do  this  on  Sunday. 

49.  Read  the  passage,  Mark  16,  2.     "And  very  early  in  the  morning, 

the  first  day  of  the  week,  they  came  unto  the  sepulchre  at 
the  rising  of  the  sun." 

50.  And  now,  let  us  see  from  Acts  20,  7,  how  the  early  Christians 

observed  this  day.  "And  upon  the  first  day  of  the  week, 
when  the  disciples  came  together  to  break  bread,  Paul 
preached  unto  them,  ready  to  depart  on  the  morrow." 

51.  On    which   day   of   the   week    did    they   meet   for   preaching   and 

prayer?      On  the  first  day  of  the  week. 

52.  The  same  is  evident  from  1  Cor.  16,  2.     "Upon  the  first  day  of 

the  week,  let  every  one  of  you  lay  by  him  in  store,  as  God 
has  prospered  him." 

53.  Since  when  has  the  first  day  of  the  week  been  observed  as  a  day 

of  rest  and  public  worship?     Since  the  days  of  the  apostles. 

54.  "WTio  agreed  upon  this  day  in  the  exercise  of  Christian  liberty? 

The  church  agreed  upon  it. 


LESSON    13.  41 

55.  What  did  the  Jews   call   their  day  of  warship?     They   called    it 

the  Sabbath. 

56.  Nowhere  in  the  New  Testament  is  the  Christian's  day  of  worship 

called  Sabbath.  But  in  Rev.  1,  10,  we  find  the  day  called  by 
a  much  more  appropriate  name.  Read  the  passage.  "I  was 
in  the  Spirit  on  the  Lord's  Day  and  heard  behind  me  a  great 
voice  as  of  a  trumpet." 

57.  Why  may  the  first  day  of  the  week  be  called  the  Lord's  Day? 

Because  it  is  the  day  of  his  resurrection. 

58.  What  other  holidays  have  we  in  the  Christian  church  besides  the 

Lord's  Day  or  Sunday?     Christmas,    Easter,   Pentecost. 

59.  (44)     "Why  do  we  in  addition,  keep  other  days,  such  as  Christ- 

mas, Easter,  Pentecost?"  "That  we  may  have  a  fixed  time 
in  common  to  consider  the  great  deeds  of  God,  and  render 
him  due  praise  for  the  same." 

60.  What  great  event  do  we  celebrate  on  Christmas  day?     We  cele- 

brate the  birth  of  Christ. 

61.  Yes,  for  what  do  we  praise  God  on  this  day?     That  he  sent  his 

only  begotten  Son  into  the  world  to  be  our  Savior. 

62.  What  are  the  four  Sundays  previous  to  Christmas  called?     They 

are  called  Advent  Sundays. 

63.  Advent   means   "Coming."     For  whose  coming  does   the   advent 

season  prepare  us?     It  prepares  us  for  the  coming  of  Christ. 

64.  What  great  event  do  we  celebrate  on  Easter?     We  celebrate  the 

resurrection  of  Christ. 

65.  What  holidaj'^  do  we  keep  three  days  before  Easter?      We  keep 

Good   Friday. 

66.  What  took  place  on  this  day?     Christ  was  crucified. 

67.  What  are  the  six  weeks  before  Easter  called?     They  are  called 

Lent. 

68.  What  should  we  think  of  during  this  season?     We  should  think 

of  the  sufferings  and  death  of  the  Savior. 

69.  What  great  event  do  we  celebrate  on  Pentecost?     We  celebrate 

the  outpouring  of  the  Holy  Ghost  upon  the  Apostles  and  first 
Christians. 

70.  The  Sunday  after  Pentecost  is  called  Trinity  Sunday,  and  how 

are  all  the  remaining  Sundays  of  the  Church  year  nirmbered 
and  named?     As  so   many  Sundays  after  Trinity. 

71.  Repeat  the  passage  Ps.  26,  6-8.     "I  will  wash  mine  hands  in  inno- 

cency,  so  will  I  compass  thine  altar,  O  Lord,  that  I  may  pub- 
lish with  the  voice  of  thanksgiving,  and  tell  of  thy  wondrous 
works." 

72.  What  then  is  the  object  of  special  holidays  in  the  church?     To 

remember  God's  wondrous  works  and  give  him  thanks  for 
them. 


LESSON   13.     KEEPING  THE   LORD'S   DAY. 

(Questions   45-49.) 

1.  (45)  "What  is  enjoined  on  us  in  this  (Third)  Comm.andment?" 
"That  we  remember  the  Sabbath  day  to  keep  it  holy,  or  that 
we  hold  preaching  and  his  Word  sacred  and  gladly  hear  and 
learn  it." 


42  LESSON    13. 

2.  What  do  we  Christians  call  the  first  day  of  the  week?     We  call 

it  Sunday  or  the   Lord's  day. 

3.  How  should  we  keep  this  day?     We  should  keep  it  holy. 

4.  Read  what  is  written  1  Tim.  4,  4.  5.     "For  every  creature  of  God 

is  good,  and  nothing  to  be  refused,  if  it  be  received  with 
thanksgiving,  for  it  is  sanctified  by  the  Word  of  God  and 
prayer." 

5.  To  sanctify  a  thing  means  to  set  it  apart  and   regard  it  holy. 

How  are  things  sanctified  or  made  holy?  By  the  Word  of 
God  and  prayer. 

6.  What  is  it.  then,  that  makes  the  Lord's  day  holy?      The  Word  of 

God  and  prayer. 

7.  The  Lord's  day  has  been  set  apart  for  what  purpose?     For  the 

preaching  of  the  Word  of  God   and  for  prayer  or  worship. 

8.  Yes,  this  is  the  real  object  of  the  Lord's  day.     How  should  we 

regard  preaching  and  his  Word?     We  should  hold  it  sacred. 

9.  What  does  this  mean?     We  should  regard   it  as  something  holy. 

10.  What  is  preached  to  us  on  the  Lord's  day?     The  Word  of  God  is 

preached  to  us. 

11.  When  God's  Word  is  preached  to  us  how  should  we  conduct  our- 

selves toward  it?     We  should  gladly  hear  and  learn  it. 

12.  What  is  the   first  thing  here  mentioned?     We  should    hear  the 

Word  of  God. 

13.  And  how  should  we  hear  it?     We  should  hear  it  gladly. 

14.  Yes.  we  should  be  glad  that  we  have  the  opportunity  to  hear  it, 

of  which  many  are  deprived.  It  is  a  blessed  privilege.  Read 
what  is  written  Eccles.  5,  1.  "Keep  thy  foot  when  thou  goest 
to  the  house  of  God  and  be  more  ready  to  hear  than  to  give 
the  sacrifice  of  fools." 

15.  When  we  hear  the   preaching   of   the   Gospel   who   is   it  that  is 

speaking  to  us?     God  himself  is  speaking  to  us. 

16.  Read  what  the  Savior  says,  Luke  10,  16.      "He  that  heareth  you 

heareth  me." 

17.  We  should  jiot  only  hear  the  Word  of  God;   what  else  does  the 

Catechism  say  we  should  do?     We  should  learn  It. 

18.  Read  what  is  written  .Tames  1,  25.     "But  whoso  looketh  into  the 

perfect  law  of  liberty,  and  continueth  therein,  he  being  not 
a  forgetful  hearer,  but  a  doer  of  the  word,  this  man  shall  be 
blessed   in  his  deed." 

19.  What    kind    of    hearing    does    the    Apostle    here    warn    against? 

Against  forgetful  hearing. 

20.  (46)     Question  46  of  the  Catechism  tells  us  more  at  length  how 

we  should  keep  the  Lord's  day.  The  question  reads:  "When 
is  this  done?"  "When  we  hold  God's  Word  as  our  highest 
treasure,  and  therefore  not  only  make  diligent  use  of  it 
ourselves  at  home,  but  also  with  heartfelt  pleasure  and  devo- 
tion hear  it  in  public  worship  and  more  and  more  learn  to 
understand  and  do  it." 

21.  How  should  we  regard  the  Word  of  God?     We  should   regard   it 

as  our  highest  treasure. 

22.  Yes,  there  is  nothing  more  precious  than  God's  Word.     It  is  sa- 

cred and  we  should  regard  it  with  awe.  This  we  see  from 
Isa.  66,  2.  Repeat  the  passage.  "But  to  this  man  will  I 
look,  even  to  him  that  is  poor  and  of  a  contrite  spirit  and 
that  trembleth  at  my  word." 


Liis^ON   13.  4ii 

2;>.  Fvepeat  the  passage  1  Thess.  2,  I:;.  "When  ye  received  the  Word 
of  God,  which  ye  heard  of  us,  ye  received  it  not  as  the  word 
of  men,   but,  as  it  is  in  truth,  the  Word  of  God." 

24.  How  did  these  people  regard  and  receive  the  Apostle's  preach- 

ing''    They  received   it  as  the  Word  of  God. 

25.  Tell  me  from  the  answer  to  question  46  what  should  we  do  with 

God's  Word  at  home?     We  should  make  diligent  use  of  it. 

26.  How  can  we  make  diligent   use  of  it  at  home?     By  reading  and 

learning  it. 

27.  Yes,  read  a  chapter  every  day,  learn  your  Sunday-school  lesson, 

think  over  it,  talk  about  it,  ask  God  to  help  you  understand 
it.  But  in  what  other  way  does  question  46  tell  us  to  use 
God's  Word''  With  heartfelt  pleasure  and  devotion  to  hear 
it  in  public  worship. 

28.  Why  should  we  delight  to  go  to  church?     That  we  may  hear  the 

preaching  of  God's  Word. 

29.  How  should  we  hear  it?     We  should   hear  it  with   heartfelt  pleas- 

ure and  devotion. 

30.  When  God   speaks  to  us,  what  should  we  do?     We  should   hear 

and  give  attention. 

31.  What  did   Samuel   say  when   he  heard  the  voice  of  God   in  the 

temple?      1    Sam.    3,    10.       He    said,    "Speak;    for   thy    servant 
heareth." 

32.  When  your  father  or  your  teacher   speaks  to  you,  what  should 

you  do?     I  should  listen  to  what  they  are  saying. 

33.  How  much  more  when  God  speaks  to  you.     But  not  only  should 

you  try  to  understand  God's  Word :  what  else  does  question 
46  say?     We  should  do  the  Word  of  God. 

34.  Yes,  that  means  take  it  to  heart  and  live  and  act  according  to  it. 

What  does  the  Savior  himself  say  about  this,  Luke  11,  28? 
"Blessed  are  they  that   hear  the   Word   of  God  and  keep   it." 

35.  When  the  Savior  v^as  twelve  years  old,  where  did  he  go  with  his 

parents?  He  went  to  Jerusalem  at  the  feast  of  the  Pass- 
over. 

36.  When  they  missed  him  on  the  way  home  and  went  back  seelving 

him,  where  did  they  find  him?  They  found  him  in  the 
temple,  sitting   in  the   midst  of  the  doctors. 

37.  What   was   he   doing   there?     He   was    hearing   them   and    asking 

questions. 

38.  What  else  does  the  minister  do  in  church  besides  preach?     He 

baptizes  and  gives  the  Holy  Communion. 

39.  And  how  sliould  we  regard  these  acts?     We  should   regard  them 

as  holy. 

40.  And  how  should  we  follow  and   take   part  in  these  ordinances? 

With   reverence  and  devotion. 

41.  In  what  else  does  public  worship  consist  besides  preaching  and 

administering  the  sacraments?  It  also  consists  in  song  and 
prayer. 

42.  What  does  the  proper  keeping  of  the  Lord's   day  require  of  us 

with  reference  to  these  parts  of  the  service?  It  requires 
that  we  join  with  the  congregation   in   singing   and  prayer. 

4n .  What  is  taken  up  during  the  singing  after  the  sermon?  The  col- 
lection or  offering  is  taken  up. 

44.      What  is  this   offering  for?     It   is  for  the   support  of  the   church. 


44  LESSON    13 

45.  Tell  me  from  1  Cor.  16,  1.   2.  concerning  what  did  the  apostle 

write  to  the  Christians  at  Corinth?  He  wrote  concerning 
the  collection  for  the  saints. 

46.  When  was  this  collection  to  be  taken  up?     It  was  to  be  taken  up 

on  the  first  day  of  the  week, 

47.  Yes,  on  the  Lord's  day  when  they  came  together  for  public  wor- 

ship. How  was  every  one  to  give  in  this  collection?  He 
was  to  give  as  God  had  prospered  him. 

48.  If  we  love  the  services  of  God's  house  we  should  be  glad  to  give 

what  is  necessary  to  keep  them  up.  What  does  the  apostle 
write  in  Gal.  6,  6?  "Let  him  that  is  taught  in  the  Word 
communicate  unto  him  that  teacheth  in  all  good  things." 

49.  (47)     "\\^at   is   foi'bidden    in    this    commandment."     "We    should 

not  despise  preaching  and  God's  word." 

50.  (48)    "When  is  this  done?"    "When  we  look  upon  it  is  a  matter  of 

indifference,  and  therefore  without  necessity  neglect  to  hear 
and  consider  it." 

51.  Suppose  your  father  sent  you  word  that  he  wanted  to  speak  to 

you  and  you  paid  no  attention  and  did  not  come  to  hear 
what  he  had  to  say,  how  would  he  regard  such  conduct? 
He  would  regard  it  as  an  insult. 

52.  What  would  it  show  on  your  part?     It  would  show  that  I  had  no 

respect  for  my  father,  that  I  despised  him. 

53.  And  how  do  the  wicked  show  that  they  have  no  reverence  for 

God  and  despise  him?     By  refusing  to  hear  his  Word. 

51.     What  is  it  that  keeps  people  away  from  public  worship?     Their 
work,  amusement  or  mere  carelessness. 

55.  What  does  the  Savior  say  to  the  .Tews,  .John  8.  47?     "He  that  is 

of  God  heareth  God's  words:  ye  therefore  hear  them  not, 
because  ye  are  not  of  God." 

56.  When  people  use  the  Ix)rd's  day  as  a  day  of  common  labor,  of 

idleness,  drunkenness,  gluttony  or  sinful  lust  what  do  they 
show  with  reference  to  their  relation  to  God?  They  show 
that  they  despise    God. 

57.  Repeat  the  passage  Luke  10,  16.      "He  that  heareth  you  heareth 

me;  and  he  that  despiseth  you  despiseth  me;  and  he  that 
despiseth  me  despiseth  him  that  sent  me." 

58.  Against  what  does  the  apostle  warn  in  Heb.  10,  25?     He  warns 

against  "forsaking  the  assembling  of  ourselves  together,  as 
the  manner  of  some  is.'' 

59.  For    what    purpose    should    Christians    assemble    on    the    Lord's 

day?     They  should  assemble  for  public  worship. 

60.  And   they  who  neglect  this  not  only   sin   against   God;    how  do 

they  sin  against  themselves?  They  deprive  themselves  of  a 
great  blessing. 

61.  (49)     "What    is    threatened    in    this    commandment?"     "Because 

thou  hast  rejected  knowledge,  I  will  also  reject  thee."  (Ho- 
sea  4,  6.) 

62.  Whom  do  people  reject  when  they  reject  the  knowledge  which 

God's  Word  alone  gives?      They  reject  God. 

63.  And   what  punishment  will   be   visited   upon    such   people?     God 

will  reject  them. 


LESSON    14.  45 

LESSON    14.     THE   SECOND    TABLE    OF    THE    LAW. 
(Questions  50-54.) 

1.  (50)     "Of  what  does  the  second  table  of  the  divine  law  treat?" 

"Of  love  to  our  neighbor." 

2.  How  do  we  divide  the  holy  ten  commandments?      Into  two  parts 

called  tables. 

3.  How    many    commandments    are    on    the    first    table?     The    first 

three. 

4.  Of  what  do  they  treat?     They  treat  of  love  to  God. 

5.  What  is  it  that  God  asks  of  us  with  reference  to  himself?     He 

asks  that  we  love  him. 

6.  Tell   me   this   with   a   Scripture   passage.     "Thou    shalt    love   the 

Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy  heart,  and  with  all  thy  soul  and 
with  all  thy  mind." 

7.  Whom  else  should  we  love  besides  God?     We  should   also    love 

our  neighbor. 

8.  What  then  is  the  one  thing  that  God  asks  of  us  in  the  law?     He 

asks  love. 

9.  (51)     Yes,   love   to   God  and    love   to   our   neighbor.     The   second 

table  of  the  law  asks  us  to  love  our  neighbor  "What  is  the 
sum  of  this  table?"  "Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbor  as  thy- 
self (Matt.  22,  39)."  "All  things  whatsoever  ye  would  that 
men  should  do  to  you,  do  ye  even  so  to  them." 

10.  (52)     "Who  is   our  neighbor?"     "Every   one   who   stands    in    need 

of  our  counsel  and  assistance,  be  he  friend  or  foe  or  who  he 
may." 

11.  It  is  important  that  we  understand  first  of  all  who  our  neighboi 

is.  Who  is  generally  meant  by  the  term  "neighbor"?  The 
person  who  lives  next  door. 

12.  Yes,  but  there  are  persons  who  are  closer  to  us  than  those  who 

live  next  door.  Who  are  they?  Those  who  live  in  the  same 
family  with  us,  our  parents,  brothers  and  sisters,  children 
and   all   of   our  own    household. 

13.  Turn  to   1   Tim.   5,  8.  and  read  what  is  there  written.     "And   if 

any  provide  not  for  his  own,  and  specially  for  those  of  his 
house,  he  hath  denied  the  faith,  and  is  worse  than  an 
infidel." 

14.  What  persons  are  here  s])oken  of  as  those  for  whom  we  should 

care?     We  should  care  for  those  of  our  own  house. 

15.  Yes,  these  are  so  to  speak  our  nearest  neighbors,  and  have  the 

first  claim  on  our  love.  Now  read  what  is  written  Gal.  <^. 
10.  "As  we  have  therefore  opportunity  let  us  do  good  unto 
all  m.en,  but  especially  unto  them  who  are  of  the  household 
of  faith." 

16.  What  household  is  here  spoken  of?     The  household  of  faith. 

17.  Yes,  this  is  the  spiritual  family  of  the  church.     How  should  we 

regard  all  Christians?  We  should  regard  them  as  our 
brethren. 

18.  If  they  are   our   brethren   on   what  have   they   a   special    claim? 

They  have  a  claim  on  our  love. 

19.  To  whom  are  we  specially  asked  to  do  good?     To  those  of  the 

household  of  faith. 

20.  But  the  apostle  in  the  passage  just  read  asks  us  to  do  good  to 

whom?     To  do  good  to  all  men. 


46  LESSON    14. 

21.  Then  how  should  we  regard  all  men?     We  should  regard  ail  men 

as  our  neighbors. 

22.  On  one  occasion  a  certain  lawyer  put  the  question  to  the  Savior: 

"Who  is  my  neighbor?"  You  will  find  the  Savior's  answer 
recorded  in  Luke  10,  2.5-.37.  Turn  to  the  passage  and  let  us 
read  it.  What  story  did  Jesus  relate  in  answer  to  the  law- 
yer's question?     He  related  the  story  of  the  good  Samaritan. 

23.  In  this  story  Jesus  wants  to  impress  on  us  the  fact  that  all  men 

are  our  neighbors.  Who  was  the  poor  man  who  went  down 
from  Jerusalem  to  Jericho  and  fell  among  thieves?  He  was 
a  Jew. 

24.  And  who  was   the  man   who  had   mercy  upon  him?     He  was   a 

Samaritan. 

25. How  did  these  men  differ  from  each  other?  They  differed  as  to 
their  nationality. 

26.  And  how  else  did  they  differ?     They  were  of  different  religions. 

27.  Is  it  probable  that  they  knew  each  other?     No,  very  likely  they 

were  strangers. 

28.  What  was  the  feeling  between  the  Jews  and  the  Samaritans  at 

that  time?     They  were  enemies. 

29.  After  relating  the  story  to  the  lawyer  what  question  did  the  Sa- 

vior put  to  him?  You  will  find  it  in  verse  36.  "Which  now 
of  these  three,  thinkest  thou,  was  neighbor  unto  him  that 
fell  among  the  thieves?" 

30.  And   what   answer  did   the  man   give?     "He  that   shewed   mercy 

on   him. 

31 .  What    other    persons    are    mentioned    in    the    story    besides    the 

Samaritan?     The  priest  and  the   Levite. 

32.  Of  what  nationality  were  they?  They  were  Jews. 

33.  What  was  their  religion?     They  were  of  the   Jewish   religion. 

34.  And  yet  how   did   they   act   toward   their   poor  neighbor?     They 

acted  very  unneighborly. 

3.5.  And  how  did  the  Samaritan,  who  was  a  stranger  to  him  and  dif- 
fered 4"rom  him  in  nationality  and  religion,  act?  He  acted 
the  neighbor. 

36.  Our   neighbors   then  are  not   only   our   relatives,    but   who   else? 

Not  only  relatives  but  strangers,  are  our  neighbors. 

37.  Not  only  our  friends,  but  who  else?     Our  enemies  are  also  our 

neighbors. 

38.  Read  what  is  written  in  Mai.  2,  10.     "Have  we  not  all  one  father? 

Hath  not  one  God  created  us?  Why  do  we  deal  treacher- 
ously every  one  against  his  brother,  by  profaning  the  cov- 
enant of  our  fathers?" 

39.  And  what  does  the  Lord  Jesus  say  Matt.  5.  44.  45?     "Love  your 

enemies,  bless  them  that  curse  you,  do  good  to  them  that 
hate  you,  and  pray  for  them  which  despitefully  use  you,  and 
persecute  you;  that  ye  may  be  the  children  of  your  Father 
which  is  in  heaven:  for  he  maketh  his  sun  to  rise  on  the  evil 
and  on  the  good,  and  sendeth  rain  on  the  just  and  on  the 
unjust." 

40.  Now  having  seen  who  our  neighbor  is,  let  us  also  see  what  we 

owe  him.  What  should  we  do  to  our  neighbor?  We  should 
love  him. 


LESSON    14.  47 

41.  (53)     "How    should    we    love    our    neighbor?"      "Not    above    all 

things,  but  as  ourselves,  so  that  we  as  heartily  and  con- 
stantly wish  and  show  him  ail  manner  of  good  as  we  do  our- 
selves." 

42.  Whom   should   we   love  above   all   things?     We   should    love    God 

above  all  things. 

43.  What  is  Luther's  explanation  of  the  First  Commandment?     "We 

should  fear,  love  and  trust  in  God  above  all  things." 

44.  And  how  should  we  love  our  neighbor?     We  should  love  him  as 

we  love  ourselves. 

45.  How  does  every  man  feel  toward  himself?     He   loves  himself. 

46.  Why  does  God  not  expressly  tell  us  to  love  ourselves?     Because 

we  do  that  without  being  told. 

47.  Yes,  it  is  natural  for  us  to  love  ourselves.     When  this  love  for 

self  gets  to  be  so  strong  that  we  forget  others  what  do  we 
call  it?     We  call  it  selfishness. 

48.  This  natural  self-love  in  us  is  to  be  the  measure  of  what  other 

love?     Of  the  love  we  owe  our  neighbor. 

49.  The  Lord   Jesus   in   the   passage   which   you   repeated   a    bit  ago 

tells  us  what  our  love  to  our  neighbor  should  prompt  us  to 
do.  What  does  he  say  we  should  do  even  to  our  enemies? 
We  should  love  our  enemies. 

50.  What  should  we  do  to  those  who  hate  us?     We  should  do  good 

to  them  that  hate  us. 

51.  What  should  we  do  to  those  who  despitefully  use  and  persecute 

us?     We  should  pray  for  them. 

52.  How  did  the  Savior  himself  do  what  he  here  asks  of  us?     He 

prayed  for  his  murderers  on  the  cross.  He  healed  one  of 
the  men  who  had  come  to  take  him  prisoner. 

53.  How  did   the   good   Samaritan   feel   toward   his   poor  unfortunate 

neighbor?     He   had  compassion   on   him. 

54.  What  did  this  compassion  lead  him  to  do?     He  went  to  him  and 

bound  up  his  wounds. 

55.  What  else  did  he  do?     He  took   him   to  an   inn   and  took  care  of 

him. 

56.  And  what  provision  did  he  make  for  him  when  he  departed?     He 

gave  the   host  two  pence  to  care  for  him. 

57.  And   what   did   he   promise   to   do   on   his    return?     "Whatsoever 

thou   spendest  more,  when   I   come  again   I   will   repay  thee." 

58.  This  is  a  true  example  of  how  we  should  love  our  neighbor.     Un- 

der question  51  there  are  two  Scripture  passages  quoted. 
Repeat  the  second.  "All  things  whatsoever  ye  would  that 
men  should  do  to  you,  do  ye  even  so  to  them." 

59.  Here  the  Savior  lays  down  a  rule  telling  us  to  do  to  others  as 

we  would  have  them  do  to  us.  What  is  this  rule  called? 
It  is  called  the  golden  rule. 

60.  Yes,  and  it  well  deserves  this  name.     What  feeling  should  mark 

all  our  conduct  toward  our  neighbor.     The   feeling   of   love. 

61.  Now  read  what  is  written  Rom.  13,  8-9.     "Owe  no  man  anything. 

but  to  love  one  another:  for  he  that  loveth  another  hath 
fulfilled  the  law.  For  this,  thou  shalt  not  commit  adultery, 
thou  shalt  not  kill,  thou  shalt  not  steal,  thou  shalt  not  bear 
false  witness,  thou  shalt  not  covet;  and  if  there  be  any  other 
commandment,  it  is  briefly  comprehended  in  this  saying, 
namely,  thou   shalt    love   thy    neighbor   as   thyself." 


48  LESSON    15. 

62.  So  in  what  words  is  all  that  the  second  table  of  the  law  requires 

of  us   briefly   expressed?     In    the   words:     "Thou    shalt   love 
thy  neighbor  as  thyself." 

63.  (54)     "How    many    commandments    does    the    second    table    con- 

tain?"    "The   last   seven." 


LESSON    15.      WHAT    IS    FORBIDDEN    IN    THE    FOURTH 
COMMANDMENT. 

(Questions  55-59.) 

1.  (55)     "Which  is  the  Fourth  Commandment?"     "Thou  shalt  honor 

thy  father  and  thy  mother." 

2.  (56)     "Wliat  does   this  mean?"     "We   should   fear   and    love   God, 

that  we  may  not  despise  our  parents  and  masters,  nor  pro- 
voke them  to  anger:  but  give  them  honor,  serve  and  obey 
them,  and  hold  them   in   love  and  esteem." 

3.  Of   whom    does    this    fourth    commandment   treat?     It    treats   of 

father  and  mother. 

4.  Wiio  are  spoken  of  in  Luther's  explanation  of  the  commandment? 

Parents  and  masters. 

5.(57)  "Whom  do  you  understand  by  parents  and  masters?"  "All 
those  whom  God  has  placed  over  others,  particularly  natural 
parents  and  those  who  act  in  their  stead,  as  also  civil  govern- 
ment." 

6.  On  which  table  of  the  law  is  this  Commandment?     It  is  on  the 

second  table. 

7.  Of  what  does  the  second  table  treat?     It  treats  of   love  to  our 

neighbor. 

8.  Who  are  our  nearest  neighbors?     Those  in  our  own  family. 

9.  Mention  them.     Parents,   children,   brothers  and  sisters. 

10.  Not  all  stand   on  the  same  level,  but  according  to  question   57 

Avhat  difference  is  there  among  men?  God  has  placed  some 
over  others. 

11.  Whose  arrangement  is  this  in  the  world  that  some  persons  are 

placed  over  others?     It  is  God's  arrangement. 

12.  Whom    has   He    placed    over    you   in    the   family?     Our    parents, 

father  and   mother. 

13.  What  other  parents  may  there  be  in  the  family  besides  natural 

parents?  Step-parents,  foster-parents,  grand-parents  and 
parents-in-law. 

14.  Read   Gen.    28,   13.     "And    behold    the    Lord   stood   above    it,   and 

said:  I  am  the  Lord  God  of  Abraham,  thy  father,  and  the 
God  of  Isaac." 

15.  This  is  from   the  story  of  Jacob's  ladder.     God    was  talking  to 

.Jacob  and  what  did  he  call  himself?  He  called  himself  the 
God  of  Abraham  thy  father. 

16.  Who  was  the  natural  father  of  Jacob?     Isaac  was  his  father. 

17.  How  was  Abraham  related  to  Jacob?     He  was  his  grandfather. 

18.  And  yet  God  called  him  his  father.     What  do  we  see  from  this 

with  reference  to  grand-parents?  That  we  should  regard 
them   also   as   parents. 


LESSON    15.  .49 

19.  Yes,  and  so  with  reference  to  the  other  kinds  of  parents.    Whose 

place  do  step  and  foster-parents  take?  They  take  the  place 
of  natural   parents. 

20.  Read    2    Kings    2,    12.     "And    Elisha    saw    it   and    he   cried:      My 

father,  my  father,  the  chariot  of  Israel  and  the  horsemen 
thereof!" 

21.  Elisha  was  looking  up  as  the  prophet  Elijah  ascended  to  heaven, 

and  what  did  he  call  him?     He  called  him  father. 

22.  He  was  not  his  natural  father,  but  in  what  relation  did  Elijah 

stand  to  Elisha?     He  was   his  teacher. 

23.  And  yet  what  did  Elisha  call  him?     He  called  him  father. 

24.  So  whom  does   the  term  father   also  include?     It   also    includes 

teachers. 

25.  In  whose  stead  do  teachers   stand  in  school?     In   the   stead   of 

parents. 

26.  But   whom   does   Luther  in    the   explanation   of   the   fourth   com- 

mandment mention  besides  parents?  He  also  mentions  mas- 
ters. 

27.  Who  are  our  masters  at  work?     Foremen,  overseers  and  proprie- 

tors. 

28.  Read  Mai.   1,  6.     "A   son   honoreth   his  father  and  a   servant   his 

master." 

2;).  What  two  persons  are  here  put  on  the  same  level?  A  father 
and  a  master,  a  son  and  a  servant. 

30.  Now  read  2  Kings  5,  13.  "And  his  servant  came  near,  and  spake 
unto  him,  and  said,  My  father,  if  the  prophet  had  bid  thee 
do  some  great  thing,  wouldst  thou  not  have  done  it?" 

81.  This  is  from  the  story  of  Naaman  the  Leper.  What  did  his  ser- 
vant call  him?     He  called  him  father. 

32.  We  see  from  this  that  servants   should   honor  their  masters  as 

fathers  and  mothers.  Now  turn  to  1  Sam.  24,  11  and  tell 
me  from  the  story  of  Saul  and  David  what  David  called  Saul. 
He  called  him  father. 

33.  AVho  was  David's  natural  father?     Jesse  was  the  father  of  David. 

34.  Who  was  Saul?     Saul  was  king. 

35.  And  yet  what  did  David  call  him?      He  called  him  father. 

36.  Now  read   1   Cor.   4,  15.     "For  though   ye  have  ten  thousand   in- 

structors in  Christ,  yet  have  ye  not  many  fathers:  for  in 
Christ  Jesus  I   have  begotten  you  through  the  Gospel." 

37.  What  honor  did  St.  Paul  hero  claim  with  reference  to  the  Corin- 

thians?    The  honor  of  being  their  father. 

38.  Why  does  he  claim  this  honor?     Because   he  had  first  preached 

the  Gospel  to  them. 

39.  Yes,  he  was  their  spiritual  father.     Whom  then  should  we  also 

honor  as  fathers?     Our   ministers  and   pastors. 

40.  Read  what  is  written   1    Tim.    5,   1.     "Rebuke    not  an   elder,   but 

entreat  him  as  a  father." 

41.  How  does  St.  Paul  hero  ask  that  elders  or  old  ])eople  be  treated? 

They  should  be  treated  as  fathers. 
43.     Read   also   Lev.    19,   32.     "Thou    shalt    rise    up   before   the    hoary 
head,  and  honor  the  face  of  the  old  man." 


50  •  LESSON    l6. 

43.  (58)     Old    people    should    be    honored    as    fathers    and    mothers. 

Now  "What  is  forbidden  in  this  commandment?"  "We 
should  not  despise  our  parents  and  masters,  nor  provoke 
them  to  anger." 

44.  (59)     "What   does   this   mean?"     "We    should    not    make    light   of 

them  in  our  hearts,  nor  offend  them   in  word  or  act." 

45.  To  despise  a  person  means  to  think  how  of  him?     To  think  light 

of  him. 

46.  To  despise  a  person  is  to  think  less  of  him  than  we  ought.     Who 

has  placed  our  parents  and  masters  over  us.  God  has  placed 
them  over  us. 

47.  When  we  despise  our  parents  and  masters,  what  do  we  forget  or 

fail  to  believe?     That  God   has  placed  them  over  us. 

48.  And  when  we  forget  or  deny  this,  how  will  we  treat  them?     We 

will    treat   them    with    disrespect. 

49.  If  we  thus  make  light  of  them  in  our  hearts  what  will  naturally 

follow  according  to  question  59?  We  will  offend  them  in 
word  and  act. 

50.  How  did  Absalom  offend  his  father?     He  stirred  up  a   rebellion 

and  tried  to  drive  him  from  the  throne. 

51.  How  did  the  wicked  sons  of  Eli  offend  their  father?     They  of- 

fended him   by  their  wickedness. 

52.  How  did  the  sons  of  Jacob  offend  their  father?     They  offended 

him  by  their  wickedness  and  especially  by  selling  their 
brother  Joseph    into  slavery. 

53.  How    did    the    children    at    Bethel    offend    the    prophet    Elisha? 

.They  mocked  him. 

54.  Repeat  the  passage  Prov.  30,  17.     "The  eye  that  mocketh  at  his 

father,  and  despiseth  to  obey  his  mother,  the  ravens  of  the 
valley  shall   pick   it  out,  and   the  young  eagles  shall  eat  it." 

55.  What  kind  of  children  are  here  spoken  of?     Wicked,  disobedient 

children. 

56.  Yes,  disobedient  children  are  wicked  children.     I^uther  once  said 

he  would,  rather  have  a  dead  son  than  a  disobedient  one. 
Repeat  the  passage  Exod.  21,  17.  "He  that  curseth  his 
father  or  his  mother  shall  surely  be  put  to  death." 

57.  How    were    children    in    the    Old    Testament,    who    cursed    their 

parents,  to  be  punished?     They  were  to  be  put  to  death. 


LESSON   16.     WHAT   IS   COMMANDED    IN   THE   FOURTH 
COMMANDMENT. 

(Questions  GO-65.) 

1.  (60)     "What  is  on  the  other  hand  commanded  in  the  Fourth  Com- 

mandment?'" "That  we  honor  our  father  and  mother,  or  give 
honor  to  our  parents  and  masters,  serve  and  obey  them,  and 
hold  them   in  love  and  esteem." 

2.  (61)     "What  is  meant  by  this?"     "To   hold  them   in   high   regard 

as  persons  acting  in  God's  stead,  to  please  them,  cheerfully 
be  subject  to  them,  and  to  requite  them  with  all  manner  of 
good." 


LKSSOX    1 6.  5l 

^.  Repeat  the  Fourth  Commanclnient.  "Thou  shalt  honor  thy  father 
and  thy  mother,  that  it  may  be  well  with  thee  and  thou  may- 
est  live  long  on  the  earth." 

4.  What  is  it  that  God  here  asks  of  us  with  reference  to  father  and 

mother?     That  we  honor  them. 

5.  What  does   question   61   say?     How   should  we  hold  them?     We 

should  hold  them  in  high  regard,  as  persons  acting  in  God's 
stead. 

6.  Who  has  placed  them  over  us?     God  has  placed  them  over  us. 

7.  In  whose  stead  do  they  act?     They  act  in  God's  stead. 

8.  Who  gave  us  life?     God  gave  us  life. 

9.  Through  whom  did  he  give  us  life?     Through  our  parents. 

10.  Who  provides  us  with  food,  shelter  and  raiment?     God  provides 

all   these   things. 

11.  Through   whom  does  he  do  this?     Through  our  parents. 

12.  So  our  parents  are  whose  agents  or  representatives?     They  are 

God's  agents.     God  blesses  us  through  them. 

13.  And   this   is   true  of  all   whom   God   has   placed   over  us.     What 

does  the  apostle  say,  Rom.  13,  1?  "Let  every  soul  be  sub- 
ject unto  the  higher  powers.  For  there  is  no  power  but  of 
God,  the  powers  that  be  are  ordained  of  God." 

14.  The  apostle  is  here  speaking  of  civil  government.     What  does  he 

say  of  the  powers  that  be?  He  says  they  are  ordained  of 
God. 

15.  This  is  true  of  our  own  government  also.     We  elect  our  officers, 

and  yet  they  are  ordained  of  God.  When  a  man  is  properly 
elected  or  appointed  to  an  office,  who  is  it  that  has  really 
placed  him  there?     It  is  God. 

16.  How  does  God  place  men  in  office  in  this  country?     Through  the 

voice  of  the  people. 

17.  Yes,  civil  authorities  are  God's  representatives  in  matters  of  pub- 

lic order.  What  is  the  highest  honor  we  can  show  those  in 
public  office?  That  we  regard  them  as  persons  acting  in 
God's  stead. 

18.  What  does  the  Savior  say  of  ministers  of  the  Gospel  in  Luke  10, 

16?  "He  that  heareth  you  heareth  me;  and  he  that  de- 
spiseth  you  despiseth  me;  and  he  that  despiseth  me  de- 
spiseth  him  that  sent  me." 

19.  When  a  pastor  speaks  God's  word,  either  publicly  or  privately, 

how  should  we  regard  him?  As  Christ's  representative,  as  a 
person   acting  in  God's  stead. 

20.  Repeat  the  passage  Mai.  1.  6.     "A  son  honoreth  his  father  and  a 

servant  his  master." 

21.  What  do  both  son  and  servant  owe  those  whom  God  has  placed 

over  them?     They  owe  them  honor. 

22.  This  honor  may  also  be  called  fear,  that  is,  childlike  reverence, 

as  in  Lev.  19,  3.  What  is  the  passage?  "Ye  shall  fear  every 
man  his  father  and  his  mother." 

23.  What  else  does  the  catechism,  question  61,  say  that  we  should 

do  to  our  parents  and  masters  besides  holding  them  in  high 
regard?     We  should  please  them. 

24.  How  can  we   do  this?     By  doing   what  they    like  without   being 

told. 

25.  What  else  do  we  owe  our  superiors?     We  should  cheerfully  be 

subject  to  them. 


52  LESSON    1 6. 

26.  Why  should  we  obey  them?     Because  God  says  so. 

27.  Tell  me  this  with  the   Scripture  passage  Col.  3,  20.     "Children, 

obey  your  parents  in  all  things;  for  this  is  well-pleasing  unto 
the  Lord." 

28.  How  does  the  catechism  say  we  should  be  subject  to  them?     We 

should  be  subject  to  them  cheerfully. 

29.  And  what  el^e  could  you  say  as  to  how  we  should  obey?     We 

should    obey    promptly. 

30.  The  Savior  himself  gave  us  an  example  of  such  willing  obedi- 

ence. Turn  to  Luke  2,  51,  and  read  what  is  there  written 
about  the  child  Jesus  and  his  parents.  "And  he  went  down 
with  them  and  came  to  Nazareth,  and  was  subject  unto 
them." 

31.  How  did  Ruth  honor  her  mother-in-law  Naomi?     Ruth  1,  16.     She 

would  not  leave  her  after  the  death  of  her  husband  but  said: 
"Entreat  me  not  to  leave  thee,  or  to  return  from  following 
after  thee:  for  whither  thou  goest,  I  will  go;  and  where  thou 
lodgest,  I  will  lodge;  thy  people  shall  be  my  people,  and  thy 
God  my  God." 

32.  What  wicked  command  did  king  Nebuchadnezzar  give  out?     Dan. 

3,  4-5.  That  all  men  should  worship  the  golden  image  that 
he  had  set  up. 

33.  Who    refused    to    obey   this    command?     The    three    pious    Jews, 

Shadrsch,  Meshach  and  Abed-nego. 

34.  Why  was    it    right    to    refuse    obedience    to    such    a  command 

although  the  king  had  given  it?  Because  the  command  was 
against  God's  law. 

35.  When  those  in  authority  command  one  thing  and  God  commands 

another,  whose  command  should  we  obey?  Give  me  the  an- 
swer by  repeating  the  passage  Acts  5,  29.  "We  ought  to 
obey  God  rather  than  men." 

36.  What  else  does  the  Catechism  say  that  we  owe  our  parents  ac- 

cording to  the  latter  part  of  question  61?  We  should  requite 
them  with  all  manner  of  good. 

37.  Now  repeat  the  passage  Prov.  23,  22.     "Hearken  unto  thy  father 

that  begat-thee,  and  despise  not  thy  mother  when  she  is  old." 

38.  When  particularly  should  you  not  despise  your  mother?     When 

she  is  old. 

39.  Some  godless  children   are  ashamed  of  their  old   parents.     You 

remember  the  story  of  Joseph.  How  did  he  honor  his  aged 
father?  He  sent  for  him  to  come  down  from  Canaan  during 
the  famine  and   live  with   him   in   Egypt. 

40.  When  it  was  told  him  that  his  father  had  come,  what  did  he  do? 

He  made  ready  his  chariots  and  went  out  to  meet  him;  he 
fell  on  his  neck  and  kissed  him. 

41.  And  what  other  great  honor  did  he  show  him?     He  introduced 

him   to    King   Pharaoh. 

42.  And  what  provision  did   he  make  for  his  father  and  the  whole 

family?  He  gave  them  the  land  of  Goshen  as  their  dwelling 
place  and  provided  them  with  everything  they  needed. 

43.  Repeat    what   the   apostle    says    1    Tim.    5,   4.     "To    requite   their 

parents:  for  that  is  good  and  acceptable  before  God." 

44.  What  does  it  mean  to  requite  parents?     To  pay  them  back. 

45.  For  what  are  we  indebted  to  them?     For  food,  clothing,  shelter, 

education  and  nursing  in  days  of  sickness. 


LESSON   1 6.  53 

46.  When  have  we  opportunity  to  pay  this  liack?     When  our  parents, 

in  their  old  age,  become  feeble  and  helpless. 

47.  What  reason   does   the  apostle  assign   why  we   should   do   this? 

•'For  this  is  good  and   acceptable   before  God." 

48.  Yes,  how  can  we,  as  children,  best  show  that  we  fear  and  love 

God?     When  we  honor,  serve,  obey  and  requite  our  parents. 

49.  (62)     "What   is   the  special    promise   attached   to    this   command- 

ment?" "That  it  may  be  well  with  thee  and  thou  mayest 
live  long  on   the  earth." 

50.  Read   the  passage,   Eph.   fi,   2-:].     "Honor   thy   father   and    mother, 

which  is  the  first  commandment  with  promise.  That  it  may 
be  well  with  thee,  and  thou  mayest  live  long  on  the  earth." 

51.  Where  has  God  placed  this  Fourth  Commandment  in  the  second 

table?     He  has  placed  it  at  the  head  of  the  second  table, 

52.  And  by  this  he  has  made  it  prominent.     But  in  what  other  way 

has  he  distinguished  this  commandment  from  all  others?  By 
adding  to  it  a  special  promise. 

53.  What  is  this  special  promise?     "That  it   may  be  well  with  thee 

and  thou  mayest  live  long  on  the  earth." 

54.  What  has  he  promised  to   those  who  keep   this  commandment? 

Weil-being  and   long  life. 

55.  (63)     "Why   did    God   add   this    promise   to   this   commandment?" 

"To  show  how  high  parents  stand  in  his  eyes,  and  how  im- 
portant is  obedience  to  the  Fourth  Commandment." 

56.  Yes,  all  real  welfare  in  this  world  depends  on  obedience  to  the 

Fourth  Commandment  in  the  family,  school,  church,  and 
state.  We  can  not  overestimate  its  importance.  .Joseph  is 
a  beautiful  example  of  how  God  blesses  obedient,  pious  chil- 
dren. What  kind  of  a  boy  was  .Joseph  at  home?  He  was  an 
obedient,  God-fearing  boy. 

57.  And  although  for  a  time  it  seemed  as  though  God  had  forsaken 

him,  what  position  did  he  at  lasfoccupy?  He  was  a  ruler 
of  all  Egypt,  the  next  man  to  the  king. 

58.  (64)     "What  is   threatened   in   this   commandment?"     "Cursed    be 

be  that  setteth  light  by  his  father  or  his  mother."  (Deut. 
27,  16.) 

59.  How  was  this  curse  visited  on  Absalom?     He  perished  miserably 

by  the  hand  of  Joab  in  the  rebellion  which  he  had  stirred  up 
against  his  father. 

60.  (65)     "What    does    God    require    of    parents    and    all    superiors?" 

"That  they  have  and  manifest  a  parental  heart  toward  their 
children  and  subordinates." 

61.  Parents  and  all  in  authority  hold  a  responsible  position.     What 

are  parents  to  provide  for  their  children?  Clothing,  food  and 
shelter. 

62.  But  in  Eph.  6,  4,  the  apostle  mentions  more  than  this.     Repeat 

the  passage.  "Ye  fathers,  provoke  not  your  children  to 
wrath:  but  bring  them  up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of 
the   Lord." 

63.  How   should  they  bring   up  their  children?     In  the   nurture   and 

admonition  of  the  Lord. 

64.  What  does  the  apostle  say,  1  Tim.  5,  8?     "But  if  any  provide  not 

for  his  own,  and  especially  for  those  of  his  own  house,  he 
hath  denied  the  faith,  and  is  worse  than  an  infidel." 


64 


LESSON    17. 


65.  Children    should    honor   their   parents,    but    how    should    parents 

prove  themselves  with  reference  to  this  honor?     They  should 
prove  themselves  worthy  of  this  honor. 

66.  The  same  is  true  of  the  goveniment.     What  are  those  in  public 

office    to    look    after?     They    are    to    look    after    the    public 
welfare. 

67.  And  what  are  teachers  to  look  after?     They  are  to  look  after  the 

education  and  training  of  their  scholars. 

68.  What  are   pastors   to  do?     They  are  to   look  after  the  spiritual 

welfare  of  those  committed  to  their  care. 


LESSON   17       WHAT   IS   FORBIDDEN    IN   THE   FIFTH 
COMMANDMENT. 

(Questions  66-69.) 

1.  (66)     "Which    is    the    Fifth    Commandment?"      "Thou    shalt    not 

kill." 

2.  (67)     "What   does  this  mean?"     "We  should   fear  and    love   God, 

that  we  may  not  hurt  nor  harm  our  neighbor  in  his  body;   but 
help  and  befriend  him  in  every  bodily  need." 
3.(68)     "What  is  forbidden  in  this  commandment?"     "We  should  not 
kill;    or  not   hurt  nor  harm   our  neighbor  in   his  body." 

4.  What  does  it  mean  to  kill?     It  means  to  destroy  life. 

5.  What  life  is  here  referred  to?     Human  life  is  referred  to. 

6.  How  did  God  form  man's  body?     Gen.  2,  7.      He  formed  it  out  of 

the  dust  of  the  ground. 

7.  How  did  man  get  his  life?    Gen.  2,  7.    God  breathed  into  his  nos- 

trils the  breath  of  life,  and  man  became  a  living  soul. 

8.  When  God  made  other  living  creatures,  how  did  He  go  about  it? 

Gen.  1,  24.  "And  God  said,  Let  the  earth  bring  forth  the  liv- 
ing creature." 

9.  So  we  see  Jthat  man's  life  is  altogether  different  from  the  life  of 

animals.  In  whose  image  was  man  created?  He  was  cre- 
ated in  the  image  of  God. 

10.  When  God  says:    "Thou  shalt  not  kill,"  what  does  he  wish  to  pro- 

tect?     He  wants  to  protect  man's  life. 

11.  What  life  may  we  destroy?     We  may  destroy  the  life  of  animals. 

12.  For  what  purpose  may  we  kill  animals?     For  food  and  clothing, 

and  when  they  are  dangerous  to  our  own  life. 

13.  But   even    though    it    becomes    necessary    to    kill    animals,    what 

should  we  avoid  with  reference  to  them?  We  should  avoid 
all  cruelty. 

14.  How    does    Luther   explain    the   Fifth    Commandment?     Question 

(j7.  "We  should  fear  and  love  God  that  we  may  not  hurt  nor 
harm  our  neighbor  in  his  body,  but  help  and  befriend  him  in 
every  bodily  need." 

15.  What  is  said  in  the  first  part  of  this  answer?     That  we  should 

fear  and  love  God. 

16.  And  why  should  we  reverence  and  put  such  a  high  value  on  the 

life  of  man?  Because  man  was  made  in  the  image  of  God, 
and   his  life   is  the   breath   of  the  Almighty. 


LESSON    17.  55 

17.  (68)     "What   is   forbidden    in    this    commandment?"     "We    should 

not  kill;  or,  not  hurt  nor  harm  our  neighbor  in  his  body." 

18.  (69)      "How  is  this  done?"     "Through   hateful  thoughts,  words  and 

deeds." 

19.  What  is  here  mentioned  first?     Hateful  thoughts. 

20.  Who  was  the  first  murderer?     Cain,  who  killed  his  brother, 

21.  How  did  Cain  feci  toward  his  brother  before  he  slew  him?     Gen. 

4,  5-6.     He  was  angry  with  him. 

22.  And  what  grew  out  of  this  anger?     Murder  grew  out  of  it. 

23.  When  anger  is  kept  and  nursed  in  the  heart,  what  do  we  call  it? 

We  call  it  hatred. 

24.  What  then  is  the  root  of  murder?     Anger  and  hatred.   .  . 

25.  How  does  God  look  upon  him  that  hateth  his  brother?     Give  me 

the  answer  by  repeating  the  passage,  1  John  3,  15.  "Who- 
soever hateth  his  brother  is  a  murderer,  and  ye  know  that 
no   murdered   hath   eternal    life  abiding    in    him." 

26.  Now  let  us  hear  what  the  Savior  says  of  the  heart  of  man  in 

Matt.  15,  19.  "Out  of  the  heart  proceed  evil  thoughts,  mur- 
ders, adulteries,  fornications,  thefts,  false  witness,  blasphe- 
mies." 

27.  What   kind   of   hearts    must   we   have   by   nature    if   such    things 

proceed  out  of  them?     Very  wicked  hearts. 

28.  Who  sees  and  knows   these  murderous   thoughts  of  our  hearts? 

God,  who  sees  and   knows  all  things. 

29.  To  what  does  the  apostle  admonish   us  in  Eph.   4,   26?     "Be  ye 

angry  and  sin  not:  let  not  the  sun  go  down  upon  your 
wrath." 

30.  What  should  we  do  before  the  sun  goes  down?      We  should  give 

up  our  anoer  and  be  reconciled. 

31.  Repeat  what  the  apostle  says.  Rom.  12,  19-20.     "Avenge  not  your- 

selves, but  rather  give  place  unto  wrath:  for  It  is  written 
vengeance  Is  mine;  I  will  repay,  saith  the  Lord.  Therefore 
if  thine  enemy  hunger,  feed  him;  if  he  thirst,  give  him  drink; 
for  in  so  doing,  thou  shalt  heap  coals  of  fire  on  his  head." 

32.  What  does  it  mean  to  avenge?     To  pay  back  like  for  like. 

33.  The  world  says:     Revenge  is  sweet.     But  what  should  we  Chris- 

tians think  of  it?  We  should  not  take  revenge,  but  leave 
that  to  God. 

34.  How  do  hateful  thoughts  find   expression   first  of  all?     Through 

hateful  words. 

35.  Yes,  and   hateful,  insulting  words  are  sharp  and  cutting  like  a 

sword.  What  do  we  inflict  by  such  words?  We  inflict  pain 
and  injury. 

36.  Read  what  is  written  in  the  latter  half  of  Jer.  18,  18.     "Come  and 

let  us  smite  him  with  the  tongue." 

87.     How   did  his  enemies   propose  to   smite  the   Prophet   .Jeremiah? 
With  the  tongue. 

;j8.      How  could  they  (]o  (his?     By  cutting  hirn  wjth   Insulting,  glander- 
ous language. 


56  LESSON    17. 

39.  Repeat  the  passage,  Matt.  5,  21-22.     "Ye  have  heard  that  it  was 

said  by  them  of  old  times,  thou  shalt  not  kill;  and  whoso- 
ever shall  kill  shall  be  in  danger  of  the  judgment;  but  I  say 
|unto  you,  that  whosoever  is  angry  with  his  brother  without 
a  cause,  shall  be  in  danger  of  the  judgment;  and  whosoever 
shall  say  to  his  brother,  Raca,  shall  be  in  danger  of  the  coun- 
cil; but  whosoever  shall  say.  Thou  fool,  shall  be  in  danger  of 
hell  fire." 

40.  Which  commandment  is  the  Lord  Jesus  here  explaining?     He  is 

explaining  the  Fifth  Commandment:    Thou  shalt  not  kill. 

41.  And  what  does  he  count  among  tlie  transgressions  of  this  com- 

mandment?    To  be  angry  with  one's  brother  without  a  cause. 

42.  And  what  else  does  he  speak  of  as  deserving  punishment?     To 

call  one's  brother,  Raca,  or.  Thou  fool. 

43.  That  is,  to  insult  him  by  hateful  words,  to  call  him  ugly  names. 

But  how  else  is  this  commandment  transgressed,  besides 
with  hateful  thoughts  and  words?     Through  hateful  acts. 

44.  What  hateful  deed  was  Cain  guilty  of  against  his  brother  Abel? 

He  slew  him.     He  killed  him. 

45.  Wlhat   awful    crime    did    he    thereby   commit?     He    committed    a 

murder. 

46.  Murder  is  the  wilful  destruction  of  human  life.     What  evil   de- 

sign had  David  against  Uriah?  2  Sam.  11,  14-15.  He  ar- 
ranged to  have  him  killed. 

47.  Yes,  and  although  he  did  not  kill  him  himself,  yet  why  was  he 

guilty  of  his  death?  Because  he  arranged  to  have  others 
kill   him. 

48.  What  did  Herod  do  to  the  children  of  Bethlehem?     He   had  all 

those  that  were  two  years  old  and  under  killed. 

49.  What  an  awful  crime  it  is  to  kill  innocent  little  children!     And 

yet  in  our  days,  thousands  of  infants  are  killed  before  they 
are  born,  and  others  are  neglected  until  they  die,  or  are  in- 
jured in  health. 

50.  If  a  man  have  a  vicious  animal  and  through  his  carelessness  a 

person  is  killed  or  injured,  who  is  responsible?  Exod.  21, 
28-29.     The  owner  of  the  animal    is  responsible. 

51.  So  any  other  carelessness  by  which  our  neighbor  is  endangered 

or  Injured  is  a  transgression  of  this  commandment,  as  we 
see  from  Dent.  22,  S.  Read  the  passage.  "When  thou 
buildest  a  new  house,  then  thou  shalt  make  a  battlement  for 
thy  roof,  that  thou  bring  not  blood  upon  thine  house,  if  any 
man  fall  from  thence." 

52.  It  is   a  sin   to  destroy  our   neighbor's   life,    but  what   else  does 

Luther,  in  his  explanation  of  the  Fifth  Commandment,  say 
we  should  not  do  to  our  neighbor?  We  should  not  hurt  nor 
harm  our  neighbor  in  his  body. 

53.  What  evil  intent  did  .Joseph's  brothers  have  against  him?     They 

wanted  to  kill   him. 

54.  And  although  they  did  not  do  this,  what  other  harm  did  they  do 

him?  They  threw  him  into  a  pit  to  let  him  perish  and  after- 
ward sold   him   into  slavery. 

55.  What  harm  did  the  Egyptians  do  to  the  children  of  Israel?     They 

oppressed  them  with  heavy  burdens  and  killed  all  their  male 
children. 

56.  How  did  they  make  life  to  the  Jews?     They  made  life  miserable. 


LESSOiNT    1 8.  57 

57.  How   did   King    Saul   come   to   his   end?     1   Sam.    31,    4.     He   fell 

upon  his  own  sword. 

58.  What  awful  crime  did  he  commit?     He  committed  suicide,  took 

his  own  life. 

59.  Which  one  of  the   disciples  committed   the  same  terrible  deed? 

Matt.  27,  5.     Judas  Iscariot. 

60.  Every  other  sin  a  man  may  repent  of.     But  when  a  man  puts  an 

end   to    his   own   life,    what   opportunity  is   thereby   cut   off? 
The  opportunity  for  repentance. 
01.     Repeat  the  passage.  Acts  16,  28.     "Do  thyself  no  harm." 

62.  This   is   what   the  apostle   called   out   to  the   jailer  at   Phillippi. 

What  was  the  jailer  about  to  do  because  he  thought  the 
prisoners  had  escaped?     He  was  about  to  take  his  own  life.. 

63.  It  is  a  sin  to  take  one's  own  life,  but  to  Injure  one's   self  or 

shorten  life  is  also  a  transgression  of  this  commandment. 
How  do  men  often  shorten  their  lives?  By  over-work,  un- 
necessary exposure,  neglect,  drunkenness,  excessive  eating, 
and  the  like. 


LESSON    18.     WHAT   IS   COMMANDED    IN   THE    FIFTH 
COMMANDMENT. 

(Questions  70-71.) 

1.  Repeat  the  fifth  commandment.     Thou  shait  not  kill. 

2.  What  does  this  mean?     "We  should  fear  and   love  God  that  we 

may   not   hurt   nor   harm   our  neighbor  in   his   body   but   help 
and  befriend  him  in  every  bodily  need." 

3.  In  our  last  lesson  we  saw  what  God  forbids  in  this  command- 

ment.    What  is  to  be  the  subject  of  this  lesson?     What  is 
commanded   in   the  fifth   commandment. 

4.  (70)     "What  is    on    the    contrary   commanded?"     "That   we    with 

kindness   and   tenderness    render   assistance   to   our  neighbor 
in  all   needs  of  the  body  and   life." 

5.  According  to  Luther's  explanation,  what  does  God  forbid  in  the 

fifth  commandment?     That  we  hurt  or  harm  our  neighbor  in 
his  body. 
0.     And  what  should  we  on  the  contrary  do?     We  should  help  and 
befriend   our   neighbor  in   every   bodily   need. 

7.  What  does  a  man  need  for  his  body?     He  needs  clothing,  food, 

drink,  shelter,   health   and  the   like. 

8.  A   man   is    in    bodily   need    when    he   lacks    these   things.     What 

other  word  expresses  this?     The  word  want  or  distress. 

9.  After  the  people  had  listened  to  the  Lord's  preaching  for  three 

days,   what   were   they   in   need   of,   or   what   did   they  lack? 
Matt.  1.5,  32.     They  had  nothing  to  eat. 

10.  What  would   have   become  of  them   without   food?     They   would 

have  perished. 

11.  Why  do  we  need  food?     To  preserve  life. 

12.  And  what  else  do  we  need  to  preserve  life  besides   food?     We 

need   clothing,  and   shelter. 

13.  What  does  God  wish  to  protect  by  the  fifth  commandment?     He 

wishes  to  protect   human   life. 


^8  LESSON    1 8. 

14.  The  term  "bodily  need"  ijiay  also  mean  bodily  distress  or  trouble. 

The  Lord  Jesus  In  the  parable  of  the  good  Samaritan  tells 
us  of  a  man  who  was  in  great  distress.  What  had  happened 
to  him?  He  fell  among  thieves,  who  stripped  him  of  his  rai- 
ment  and    left    him    half   dead. 

15.  What  would  have  become  of  him  if  no  one  had  helped  him?     He 

would  have  died. 
IG.     In  what  bqdily  need  or  distress   were   many  people  who  sought 
the  Savior's  help?     They  were  sick,  blind,  deaf  and  troubled 
with   all    manner  of  diseases. 

17.  What  does  the  Catechism  say  we  should  do  when  our  neighbor 

is  in  bodily  need?     We  should  help  and  befriend  him. 

18.  How  should  it  affect  us  when  we  see  people  in  trouble  and  dis- 

tress?    We  should  pity  them. 

19.  Yes,  this  is  plainly  told  us  in  Col.  ;!,  12-1:].     "Put  on  therefore,  as 

the  elect  of  God,  holy  and  beloved,  bowels  of  mercies,  kind- 
ness, humbleness  of  mind,  meekness,  long-suffering;  for- 
bearing one  another,  and  forgiving  one  another,  if  any  man 
have  a  quarrel  against  any:  even  as  Christ  forgave  you,  so 
also  do  ye." 

20.  When  Jesus  beheld  the  hungry  multitude  around  him,  how  did  it 

affect  him?     He   had  compassion   on   them. 

21.  And  what  did  he  do  because  he  pitied  them?     He  fed  them. 

22.  When  the  Savior  saw  the  poor  widow  of  Nain,  who  was  about- to 

bury  her  only  son,  how  did  it  affect  him?     He  pitied  her. 

23.  And  how   did  he   express  his  compassion?     He  spoke   kindly  to 

her,  and  raised  her  son  to  life. 

24.  To   have   compassion   on   a   man   means   to   share    his    suffering. 

We  are  members  one  of  another.  When  my  hand  or  my  eye 
is  injured,  how  does  it  affect  the  other  members  of  my  body? 
They  also  feel  the  pain. 

25.  And  what  do  they  do?     They  try  to  relieve  the  pain. 

26.  When  the  good  Samaritan  found  the  man  who  had  fallen  among 

thieves,  what  did  he  do?  He  had  compassion  on  him  and 
helped   him. 

27.  When  we  are  wronged   by  anybody,  what  do  we  naturally  feel 

like  doing?     We  feel  like  paying  him  back. 

28.  What   do   we    call    this    paying   back    evil    for   evil?     We    call    it 

taking  revenge. 

29.  What  does  the  apostle  say  about  taking  revenge,   Rom.   12,   19? 

"Avenge  not  yourselves,  but  rather  give  place  unto  wrath: 
for  it  is  written,  Vengeance  is  mine;  I  will  repay,  saith  the 
Lord.  Therefore  if  thine  enemy  hunger,  feed  him;  if  he 
thirst,  give  him  drink:  for  in  so  doing  thou  shalt  heap  coals 
of  fire  on   his  head." 

30.  Instead  of  taking  vengeance  on  our  enemies,  what  are  we  admon- 

ished to  do?     To  do  them  good. 

31.  How    does  the  Savior  say  we  should  treat  enemies.  Matt.  5,  44- 

45?  "Love  your  enemies,  bless  them  that  curse  you,  do  good 
to  them  that  hate  you,  and  pray  for  them  which  despitefully 
use  you  and   persecute  you." 

32.  And  what  does  he  say  in  Matt.  5,  25?     "Agree  with  thine  adver- 

sary quickly  while  thou  art  in  the  way  with  him;  lest  at 
any  time  the  adversary  deliver  thee  to  the  Judge,  and  the 
judge  deliver  thee  to  the  officer,  and  thou  be  cast  into 
prison." 


LESSON    i8.  59 

33.  How  should  we  be  disposed  toward  those  who  have  injured  us? 

We  should  be  ready  to  forgive. 

34.  What  does  the  apostle  in  the   passage  Col.  3,  13   remind  us  of 

W'ith  reference  to  the  Savior?     That  he  forgave  us. 

?>5.  And  to  what  should  this  move  us?  We  should  also  forgive  those 
who  sin  against  us. 

3G.  We  should  not  only  forgive  but  we  should  give.  Repeat  the  pas- 
sage Isa.  58,  7.  "Is  it  not  to  deal  thy  bread  to  the  hungry, 
and  that  thou  bring  the  poor  that  are  cast  out  to  thy  house? 
When  thou  seest  the  naked,  that  thou  cover  him;  and  that 
thou   hide   not  thyself  from  thine  own  flesh?" 

37.  Repeat  also   what  is   written  Heb.   13,   16.     "To   do  good  and   to 

communicate  forget  not:  for  with  such  sacrifices  God  is  well 
pleased." 

38.  The  word  "communicate"  here  means  give.     How   does  God  re- 

gard cheerful  giving?     He  is  well   pleased  with   it. 

39 .  The  fifth  commandment  not  only  tells  us  not  to  destroy  human 

life,  but  on  the  contrary  what  does  it  ask  of  us?  To  do  what 
we  can  to  preserve  it. 

40.  Read  what  the  Savior  says  in  his  sermon  on  the  mount,  Matt.  5, 

Verse  5.  "Blessed  are  the  meek,  for  they  shall  inherit  the 
earth." 

41.  And  also  verse  7.     "Blessed  are  the  merciful  for  they  shall  obtain 

mercy." 

42.  And  verse  9.     "Blessed   are  the   peacemakers:    for  they  shall   be 

called  the  children  of  God." 

43.  What  does  the  Savior  here  say  of  those  who  make  peace  between 

contending  persons  and  nations?  He  calls  them  blessed,  and 
says  they  shall  be  called  the  children  of  God. 

44.  As  friends  and  neighbors  we  shovld  do  everything  in  our  power 

to  make  peace,  and  as  Christian  citizens  we  should  use  every 
effort  to  avert  war  and  bloodshed.  For  all  unjust  wars  are 
contrary  to  which  commandment?  The  fifth,  which  says, 
"Thou    Shalt   not   kill." 

45.  What  does  the  fifth  commandment  ask  of  us  with  reference  to 

our  own  life?     That  we  take  care  to  preserve  it. 

46.  How  do  we  do  this?     By  providing  proper  food,  clothing,  shelter, 

exercise,    ventilation,    medicine   and   the    like. 

47.  Yes,  life  is  a  precious  gift  of  God  and  we  should  do  all  we  can 

to  preserve  it.  It  is  that  gift  without  which  none  of  the 
other  earthly  gifts  of  God  can  be  enjoyed.  Next  to  our  own 
lives  we  should  be  concerned  about  the  lives  of  our  children. 
What  should  parents  do  to  protect  and  preserve  the  lives  of 
their  children?  They  should  see  to  it  that  they  have  proper 
food,   clothing   and   shelter. 

48.  What  should  they  do  in  case  of  sickness?     Nurse  them  and  pro- 

vide medicine. 

49.  (71)     "What    is     threatened    in     this     commandment?"      "Whoso 

sheddeth  man's  blood  by  man  shall  his  blood  be  shed."  (Gen. 
9,  6.)  "All  they  that  take  the  sword  shall  perish  by  the 
sword."      (Matt.  26,  52.) 

50.  What  punishment   is   dealt  out    to  a   wilful   and    malicious   mur- 

derer?    He  is  put  to  death. 

51.  Who  executes  this   i)unishmeu(  ?     The  courts  and  those   in   public 

office. 


60  LESSON    19. 

52.  Who  gave  the  civil  authorities  the  right  to  punish  evil  doers? 

God  himself  gave  them  this  right. 

53.  Yes,  read  what  is  wi'itten  Rom.  13,  3.  4.     "For  rulers  are  not  a 

terror  to  good  works,  but  to  the  evil.  Wilt  thou  then  not  be 
afraid  of  the  power?  Do  that  which  is  good,  and  thou  wilt 
have  praise  of  the  same:  for  he  is  the  minister  of  God  to  thee 
for  good.  But  if  thou  do  that  which  is  evil,  be  afraid;  for 
he  beareth  not  the  sword  in  vain;  for  he  is  the  minister  of 
God,  a  revenger  to  execute  wrath  upon   him  that  doeth  evil." 

54.  How  does  God  deal  out  justice  iu  this  world?     Through  the  civil 

courts. 

55.  When    a    sheriff    executes    sentence    of    death    upon    a    criminal, 

whose  representative  is  he  in  so  doing?  He  is  the  minister 
or  servant  of  God. 

56.  The   apostle   says    of    the    government    that   it    beareth    not   the 

sword  in  vain.  What  is  the  sword  used  for?  To  cut  and 
kill. 

57.  What  does  he  mean  by  saying  the  government  shall  not  bear  the 

sword  in  vain?      He  means  it  shall  make  use  of  the  sword. 

58.  Aagainst  whom  shall  the  sword  be  used?     Against  those  who  do 

evil. 

59.  When  men  are  accused  of  evil,  who  is  to  give  them  fair  trial  and 

thus  to  establish  their  innocence  or  guilt?  The  courts  are 
to  do  this. 

60.  And  if,  after  fair  trial,  a  man  is  found  guilty,  who  is  to  punish 

him?     The  public  authorities  are  to  punish   him. 

61 .  When  a  disorderly  crowd  or  mob  deals  out  punishment  to  a  sup- 

posed evil  doer,  what  do  we  call  such  an  act  of  violence? 
We   call    it   lynching. 

62.  Yes,  and  lynching  is  murder,  and  a  gross  sin  against  which  com- 

mandment? It  Is  a  gross  sin  against  the  fifth  command- 
ment. 


LESSON    ^9.      WHAT    IS    FORBIDDEN    IN    THE    SIXTH 
COMMANDMENT. 

(Questions  72-75.) 

1.  (72)     "Which  is  the  sixth  commandment?"    "Thou  shalt  not  com- 

mit adultery." 

2.  (73)     "What  does  this  mean?"     "We   should   fear  and   love  God, 

that  we  may  lead  a  chaste  and  decent  life  in  word  and  deed, 
and   each   love  and   honor   his  spouse." 

3.  Read  what  is  written  of  the  creation  of  man.  Gen.  1,  27.     "So  God 

created  man   in  his  own   image,   in  the   image  of  God  created 
he   him,   male  and  female  created   he  them," 

4.  Of  how  many  kinds  did  God  create  human  beings?     Of  two  kinds, 

male  and  female. 

5.  What  do  we  call  this  difference?     We  call  it  sex. 

0.  And  the  Sixth  Commandment  treats  of  this  difference  of  sex.  It 
teaches  the  proper  relation  of  the  sexes  to  each  other.  What 
does  it  teach?  It  teaches  the  proper  relation  of  the  sexes  to 
each   other. 


LESSON    19.  61 

7.  The  comiiiaiulment  speaks  of  adultery.     What   does   it  mean   to 

adulterate  a  thing?  It  means  to  mix  it  with  inferior  sub- 
stances. 

8.  What  is  the  difference  between  pure  flour  and  adulterated  flour? 

Pure  flour  is  nothing  but  flour,  adulterated  flour  is  mixed 
with   some    inferior   stuff. 

9.  What  is  the  difference  between  pure  lard  and  adulterated  lard? 

Pure  lard  is  nothing  but  lard,  adulterated  lard  is  mixed  with 
some  cheaper  grease. 

10.  What  effect  has   it  on  an   article  to   adulterate  it.     It  makes   it 

bad,  it  spoils  it. 

11.  When  an  article  is  adulterated,  what  has  it  lost?     It  has  lost  its 

purity, 

12.  Yes,  and  so  God  wants  us  to  avoid  everything  by  which  our  sex- 

ual purity  is  spoiled  or  adulterated.  What  is  the  opposite 
of  sexual  purity?     Sexual   adulteration  or  adultery. 

13.  (75)     The    commandment    says,    "Thou    shalt    not    commit    adul- 

tery." "Whereby  is  this  done?"  "By  unchaste  thoughts, 
words   and   deeds." 

14.  What  is  the  first  thing  here  mentioned?     Unchaste  thoughts. 

15.  Repeat  the  passage  Matt.  15,  19.     "Out  of  the  heart  proceed  evil 

thoughts,  murders,  adulteries,  fornications,  thefts,  false  wit- 
ness, blasphemies." 

16.  Adulteries  and  fornications  are  here  classed  among  what  kind  of 

thoughts?     They  are  classed  among   evil   thoughts. 

17.  Instead  of  evil  thoughts,  what  might  you  say?     Bad  thoughts. 

18.  Yes,     and    bad     thoughts    are    shameful,     mean,     dirty,     smutty 

thoughts,  such  thoughts  as  you  would  be  ashamed  to  have 
known.  These  unchaste  thoughts  give  rise  to  what  kind  of 
words  and  acts?     To  unchaste  words  and  acts. 

19.  Po   what   is   the   root   of   mean,    dirty,    smutty    words    and    acts? 

Mean,  dirty  and  smutty  thoughts. 

20.  Men,  of  course,  can  only  hear  our  words  and  see  our  acts,  but 

what  does  God  take  note  of?  He  takes  note  even  of  our 
thoughts. 

21.  Read  what  is  written  1  Sam.  IG,  7,  the  latter  half  of  the  verse. 

"For  man  looketh  on  the  outward  appearance,  but  the  Lord 
looketh   on   the    heart." 

22.  What  does  the  Savior  say  Matt.  5,  27.  28?     "Ye  have  heard  that 

it  was  said  by  them  of  old  time.  Thou  shalt  not  commit 
adultery:  but  I  say  unto  you,  that  whosoever  looketh  on  a 
woman  to  lust  after  her,  hath  committed  adultery  with  her 
already  in  his  heart." 

23.  What  kind  of  adultery  does  the  Lord  here  speak  of?     He  speaks 

of  adultery  in  the  heart. 

24.  When  does  a  man  commit  this  adultery  in  his  heart?     When  he 

looks  upon  a  woman  to  lust  after  her. 

25.  Yes,  or  when  he  looks  at  mean,  dirty  pictures.     Our  hearts  are 

l)y  nature  full  of  evil,  sinful  Inst.  And  when  such  thoughts 
enter  our  hearts,  what  should  we  do?  We  should  crowd 
them  out. 
20.  When  the  wicked  wife  of  Potiphar  looked  upon  and  lusted  after 
.Joseph,  what  sin  did  she  commit?  She  committed  adultery 
in    her  heart,  and  w/th   her  eyes. 


62  LESSON    19. 

27.  Read   what   the   Savior  says   in   the   latter  half  oi    Matt.    12,  34. 

"For  out  of  the  abundance  of  the  heart  the  mouth  speaketh." 

28.  When  the  heart  is  full  of  a  thing,  how  will  it  find  expression?    It 

will   find   expression    in   words. 

29.  So  with  the  unchaste,  unclean  thoughts  of  the  heart,  what  will 

they  lead  to?     They  will  lead  to  the  same  kind  of  words. 

30.  Read  (or  repeat)  the  passage  Eph.  5,  3.  4.     "But  fornication  and 

all  unoleanness,  or  covetousness,  let  it  not  be  once  named 
among  you,  as  becometh  saints;  neither  filthiness,  nor  fool- 
ish talking,  nor  jesting,  which  are  not  convenient:  but  rather 
giving  of  thanks." 

31.  When   the  apostle  says  fornication  and   uncleanness  should   not 

be  so  much  as  once  named  among  us,  what  does  he  mean? 
He  means  that  we  should  not  talk  about  such  things. 

32.  When  he  speaks  of  filthiness,  foolish  talking  and  jesting,   what 

kind  of  talk  does  he  mean?  He  means  dirty,  shameful, 
smutty  talk,  jokes  and  stories. 

33.  Yes,  children,  never  talk  of  nor  listen  to  things  that  you  would 

be  ashamed  to  have  your  mothers  or  sisters  hear.  For  who 
is  it  that  knows  not  only  our  thoughts,  but  hears  all  our 
words?     God,  who  sees  and  hears  ail  things. 

34.  Such  conversation   is   not   smart,   as   boys   sometimes   think,   but 

how  should  we  regard  it?     We  should  regard  it  as  wicked. 

35.  What  does  question  75  speak  of  besides  unchaste  thoughts  and 

words?     Unchaste    deeds. 

36.  In  the  passage  Eph.  5,  3.  4.  some  such  unchaste  deeds  are  men- 

tioned. How  does  the  passage  begin?  "But  fornication  and 
all  uncleanness  or  covetousness,  let  it  not  be  once  named 
among  you." 

37.  God   has   ordained   that   man   and   woman   shall   live   together  in 

marriage.  Fornication  is  the  living  together  of  men  and 
women  without  being  married.  What  does  the  apostle  say 
of  this  awful  sin?     It  should   not  be  even  named  among  us. 

38.  Much  less  should  we  be  guilty  of  such  things.     When  husband 

and  wife  join  in  marriage,  what  do  they  promise  each  other? 
That  they  will  love  and  honor  each  other. 

39.  Yes,  they  promise  before  God  that  they  will  allow  no  one  to  take 

the  place  of  husband  or  wife.  When  this  promise  is  broken, 
and  husband  or  wife  loves  or  becomes  intimate  with  or  runs 
away  with  another,  what  tie  is  broken?  The  marriage  tie 
is  broken. 

40.  This    was    the    case    with    Potiphar's    wicked    wife.     Instead    of 

loving  her  husband,  she  fell  in  love  with  Joseph,  and  asked 
him  to  commit  what  sin  with  her?  She  asked  him  to  com- 
mit the  sin  of  adultery. 

41.  When  David  took  the  wife  of  Uriah,  what  sin  was  he  guilty  of? 

He  was  guilty  of  the  sin  of  adultery. 

42.  When  husband  and  wife  consent  together  in  holy  wedlock,  how 

long  is  this  union  to  last?     As  long  as  they  both  shall   live. 

43.  Who  alone  has  a  right  to  separate  them?     God,  who  joined  them 

together. 

44.  What    do    we   call   any    other    separation    of    husband   and    wife? 

We  call  it  divorce. 

45.  Read    what    the    Savior   says    Matt    19.   6.     "What    God    therefore 

hath  joined  together,  let  no  man  put  asunder." 


LESSON    20.  63 

iG.  What  does  the  Savior  say  of  a  man  who  puts  away  his  wife  and 
marries  another,  Matt.  19.  9?  "And  I  say  unto  you,  whoso- 
ever shall  put  away  his  wife,  except  it  be  for  fornication, 
and  shall  marry  another,  committeth  adultery;  and  whoso 
marrieth  her  which   is  put  away  doth  commit  adultery." 

47.  The  Savior  is  here  speaking  of  divorce.     For  what  reason  only 

may  a  man  put  away  his  wife,  that  is,  refuse  to  live  with 
her,  so  that  she  shall  no  longer  be  his  wife?  When  she  is 
guilty  of  fornication. 

48.  Yes,  when  she  herself  has  already   ])rolven   the   marriage  tie   by 

loving  and  living  with  another  man.  And  the  same  is,  of 
course,  true  of  the  wife.  When  may  slie  put  away  or  refuse 
to  live  with  her  husband?  When  he  is  guilty  of  loving  and 
living  with  another  woman. 

49.  God  has  forbidden  the  marriage  of  near  relatives.     This  is  called 

the  sin  of  incest.  Read  what  the  apostle  writes  1  Cor.  5,  1. 
"It  is  reported  commonly  that  there  is  fornication  among 
you,  and  such  fornication  as  is  not  so  much  as  named  among 
the  Gentiles,  that  one  should  have  his  father's  wife." 

50.  There  was  a  man  in  the  congregation  at  Corinth  who  lived  with 

his  step-mother  as  his  wife,  what  does  the  apostle  call  this 
relation?     He  calls  it  fornication. 

51.  Yes,  and   he  says   that  even  the  heathen   would   be   ashamed   of 

such  a  thing.  Much  more  should  who  be  ashamed  of  it? 
Much   more  should  we  Christians  be  ashamed  of  it. 

52.  Now  repeat  Eph.   5.   12.     "For    it    is   a   shame   even   to   speak   of 

those   things   which    are   done   of   them    in    secret." 

53.  The   apostle   here   speaks  of  what   wicked    people   do   in    secret 

What  does  he  say  of  these  things?  It  Is  a  shame  even  to 
speak  of  them. 

54.  Yes,  they  are  so  shameful  that  even  to  mention  them  brings  the 

blush  of  shame  to  the  cheek.  Boys  or  girls,  when  they  are 
alone,  in  secret,  do  things  which  I  dare  not  even  name,  they 
are  so  shameful.  O  children,  never  forget  that  God  is  every- 
where, sees  and  knows  all  things.  Every  abuse  of  the  body 
and  its  members,  which  tends  to  make  us  impure  and  base, 
we  should  avoid  and  shun  as  the  very  devil  himself. 


LESSON  20.     WHAT  IS  COMMANDED  IN  THE  SIXTH 
COMMANDMENT. 

(Questions  76-79.) 

1.  Repeat  the  Sixth  Commandment.     "Thou  shalt  not  commit  adul- 

tery." 

2.  W^hat  is  forbidden  in  this  commandment?     We  should  not  com- 

mit adultery. 

3.  (76)     "What  is  on  the  contrary  enjoined  in  this  commandment?" 

"That  we  lead  a  chaste  and  decent  life  in  thought,  word  and 
deed,  and  each   love  and  honor  his  spouse." 

4.  Repeat  the  first  part  of  this  answer.     That  we  lead  a  chaste  and 

decent  life,  in  thought,  word  and  deed. 

5.  What  kind  of  life  should  we  lead?     We  should  lead  a  chaste  and 

decent  life. 


64  LESSON    20. 

6.  How  should  this  chastity  and  decency   show  itself  first  of  all? 

It  should  show  itself  in  our  thoughts. 

7.  (77)      "When    do    we    live    chaste    in    thoughts?"      "When    we, 

through  the  grace  of  God,  subdue  all  unchaste  desires." 

8.  What  does  the  word  "chaste"  here  mean?     It  means  clean,  pure. 

9.  Repeat  the  passage  Ps.  51,  10.     "Create  in  me  a  clean  heart,  O 

God,  and  renew  a  right  spirit  within  me." 

10.  V/hat  kind  of  heart  does  the  Psalmist  ask  for?     He  asks  for  a 

clean  heart. 

11.  What  does  he  thereby  acknowledge  with  reference  to  his  heart? 

He  acknowledges  that  it  is  unclean. 

12.  And  whence  must  a  clean  heart  come?     God  must  create  it  with- 

in us. 

13.  When  we  feel  evil,   unclean  desires   arising  out  of  our  hearts, 

what  should  we  do?  We  should  ask  God  to  make  our  hearts 
clean. 

14.  The  Savior  reminds  us  of  this  duty  to  pray  when  we  are  in  temp- 

tation, Matt.  26,  41.  Repeat  the  passage.  "Watch  and  pray, 
that  ye  enter  not  into  temptation:  the  spirit  is  willing,  but 
the  flesh   is  weak." 

15.  What  does  he  say  of  our  flesh?     He  says  it  is  weak. 

16.  By  the  flesh  he  means  our  sinful  nature.     Our  hearts  are  so  weak 

that  they  need  constant  watching.  But  watching  alone  will 
not  suffice;  to  what  else  does  the  Savior  admonish  us?  He 
admonishes  us  to  pray. 

17.  Tell  me  from  question  77  how  we  are  to  subdue  all  unchaste  de- 

sires.    Through  the  grace  of  God. 

18.  When  a  man  is  drunk,  what  kind  of  thoughts  arise  in  his  heart? 

Bad,  unclean  thoughts. 

19.  Against  what,  therefore,  does  the  apostle  admonish  us,  Eph.   5, 

18?  "And  be  not  drunk  with  wine,  wherein  is  excess,  but  be 
filled  with  the  Spirit." 

20.  Read  what  is  written   Matt.  5,  29.     "'And   if  thy  right  eye  offend 

thee,  pluck  it  out;  and  cast  it  from  thee,  for  it  is  profitable 
for  thee  that  one  of  thy  members  should  perish,  and  not  thy 
whole   body   be  cast   into  hell." 

21.  When  things  that  are  in  themselves  innocent  get  to  be  danger- 

ous, we  should  deny  ourselves  of  them  rather  than  run  the 
risk  of  being  ruined  forever.  Eating  and  drinking  are  not 
sinful,  but  intemperance  in  eating  and  drinking  is.  To  what 
kind  of  desires  do  intemperance  and  idleness  lead?  They 
lead  to  evil,  unchaste,  unclean  desires. 

22.  Therefore,  what  should  we  avoid  as  leading  to  unchastity?     We 

should  avoid  gluttony,  drunkenness  and  idleness. 

23.  To    what    awful    sin    did    Potiphar's    wife    tempt    Joseph?     She 

tempted   him  to  adultery. 

24.  What  did  Joseph  answer?     Gen.  39,  9.     "How  can  I  do  this  great 

wickedness  and  sin  against  God?" 

25.  Evil  thoughts  are  like  fire,  they  burn  and  consume.     How  do  we 

regard  playing  with  fire?     It  is  very  dangerous. 

26.  Joseph  did  not  play  with  the  evil  desires  which  Potiphar's  wife 

tried  to  kindle  in  his  heart.  He  had  no  pleasure  in  them;  on 
the  contrary,  he  abhorred  them.  Of  whom  did  he  think 
when  he  was  tempted?     He  thought  of  God. 


Lesson  20.  65 

27.  Yes,  and  the  thought  that  adultery  was  a  sin  against  Ood  saved 

him.  Thus  the  grace  of  God  subdued  all  evil  desires  in  him. 
We  should  be  chaste  and  pure  in  our  thoughts,  but  how  else 
should  this  chastity  and  purity  show  itself?  We  should  also 
be  chaste  and  pure  in  our  words. 

28.  (78)     "When  do  we  live  chaste  in  words?"     "When  we  shun  all 

unchaste  talk,  and  strive  to  be  pure  in  all  our  words." 

29.  Repeat  the  passage  Ei)h.  4,  29.     "Let  no  corrupt  communication 

proceed  out  of  your  mouth,  but  that  which  is  good  to  the  use 
of  edifying,  that   it   may  minister  grace   unto  the   hearers." 

30.  How    do    we    communicate   our    thoughts   to    our   neighbor?     By 

talking  to  him. 

31.  What  kind  of  communication  or  talk  does  the  apostle  here  warn 

against?     He  warns  against  corrupt  communication. 

32.  Give    me    another   word    for   the    word    "corrupt."     Foul,    rotten, 

dirty. 

33.  What   kind   of   language,   then,   does   the   apostle   warn   against? 

Against  foul,  dirty   language. 

34.  What   does    the   catechism    call    such   language    in    question    78? 

It  calls  such    language  "unchaste  talk." 

35.  What   would    you   do   if  you    happened    to   get   hold   of   a  rotten 

apple  or  a  bad  egg?  Would  you  put  them  in  your  mouths 
No,    I    would   throw   them   away. 

36.  What   kind   of  language    on    the    contrary    should    we    use?     We 

should   use  pure,  clean   language. 

37.  In  order  to  be  pure  ourselves  we  should  be  careful  with  whom 

we  associate.  There  is  an  old  proverb  which  says:  "Tell  me 
M'ith  whom  you  associate  and  I  will  tell  you  who  you  are." 
If  a  man  is  clean  and  pure,  what  kind  of  company  will  he 
keep?     He  will   keep  clean  and  pure  company. 

38.  If  a  man  delights  in  the  company  and  conversation  of  mean  and 

unchaste  persons,  what  does  this  show?  It  shows  that  he 
himself  is  unchaste  and  mean. 

39.  Yes,  because  "Birds  of  a  feather  flock  together."     What  does  the 

apostle  say  1  Cor.  15,  38?  "Evil  communications  corrupt 
good  manners." 

40.  What  danger  is  there  in  associating  with  a  person  that  has  the 

smallpox?     There  is  danger  of  catching  the  disease. 

41.  Yes,   and   moral   corrui)tion    is   worse  than   smallpox.     It  poisons 

both  soul  and  body.  What  effect  has  bad  company  on  good 
manners?      It  corrupts  them. 

42.  If  I  put  one  rotten  apple  among  six  sound  ones,  what  will  the 

effect  be?     They  will  all  get  rotten. 

13.     We   should   be    chaste   and   pure  not   only   in   our    thoughts   and 
words,  but  in  what  other  way?     Also  in  our  deeds. 

44.  (79)     "When  do  we  live  chaste  in  deeds?"     "When   we  shun  all 

unchaste  doings  and  all  opportunity  for  them." 

45.  What  does  the  catechism  ask  of  us  with  reference  to  unchaste 

doings?     We  should  shun  them. 

4G.      What  does  the  apostle  say  1   Cor.  6,  18?     "Flee  fornication." 

47.     If  you  saw  a  rattlesnake  lying  in  your  path,  would  you  continue 
right  on?     No,  I   would  turn  and   run  away. 


66  LESSON    21. 

48.  There  are  men  and  women  who  are  more  dangerous  than  rattle- 

snakes. There  are  houses  that  are  more  loathsome  than  pest 
houses.  What  should  we  do  with  reference  to  such  persons 
and  places?     We  should  avoid  them. 

49.  Give  me  an  example  of  this.     Joseph   fled  from   Potiphar's  wife. 

50.  Repeat  the  passage  1  Tim.  5,  22.     "Keep  thyself  pure." 

51.  This   purity   refers    to   both   body   and    soul.     To   what  does   the 

apostle  admonish  his  young  friend  Timothy  in  2  Tim.  2,  22? 
"Flee  also  youthful  lusts." 

52.  The  lusts  which  the  apostle  here  refers  to  are  particularly  dan- 

gerous to  what  kind  of  people  as  to  age?  They  are  particu- 
larly dangerous  to  young   people. 

53.  Yes,  and  therefore  young  people  particularly  should  be  on  their 

guard  with  reference  to  sins  against  the  sixth  command- 
ment. What  people  sometimes  call  love  is  often  nothing 
but  sinful  lust.  What  does  Solomon  say,  Prov.  1,  10?  "My 
son,  if  sinners  entice  thee,  consent  thou  not." 

54.  Children,  you  will  be  tempted  by  wicked  people,  as  Joseph  was. 

What  does  the  wise  man  urge  upon  you  under  such  circum- 
stances?    We  should  not  consent. 

55.  Yes,  do  not  yield  to  the  temptation  but  fight  against  it.     Have 

the  courage  to  say  No!  What  does  the  Savior  teach  us  to 
pray  for  in  the  sixth  petition?  "Lead  us  not  into  tempta- 
tion." 

56.  When  we  are  tempted,  to     whom  should  we  flee  for  help?      We 

should  flee  to  God  for  help. 

57.  Since  we  are  to  ask  God  not  to  lead  us  into  temptation,  but  to 

preserve  us  from  it.  how  foolish  and  sinful  it  would  be  for 
us  to  run  into  temptation.  There  are  places  where  tempta- 
tion to  sins  against  the  sixth  commandment  are  particularly 
great.  Among  these  I  would  mention  the  dance  and  the 
•  theater.  Question  79  tells  us  to  avoid  not  only  all  unchaste 
doings,  but  what  else  should  we  shun?  All  opportunity  for 
them. 

58.  Anything  that  has  a  tendency  to  arouse  our  sinful  passions  we 

should  avoid.  We  should  not  put  ourselves  in  the  way  of 
danger,  but  on  the  contrary  what  should  we  do?  We  should 
avoiti  danger. 

59.  Repeat    the    passage    1    Tim.    2,    9.     "In    like    manner    also    that 

women  adorn  themselves  in  modest  apparel,  with  shame- 
facedness  and  sobriety. 

GO.     With    what    kind    of   apparel    should    women    adorn    themselves? 
With  modest  apparel. 

61.  That  is,  they  should  put  on  decent  clothing.     To  what  sin  does 

all  indecent  exposure  of  the  body  tend?  It  tends  to  unchas- 
tity  and  adultery. 

62.  The    same    is   true   of   all    indecent    books,   papers   and    pictures. 

How  should  we  therefore  regard  these  things?  As  danger- 
ous and  sinful,  and  should  avoid  them. 


LESSON   21.     MARRIAGE. 

(Questions  80-81.) 

Repeat  the  sixth  commandment.     "Thou   shalt  not  commit  adul- 
tery." 


LESSON    21.  67 

2.  What  does  this  mean?     "We  should  fear  and  love  God  that  we 

may  lead  a  chaste  and  decent  life  In  word  and  deed,  and  each 
love  and  honor  his  spouse." 

3.  What  is  here  said  of  one's  spouse?     Each  should  love  and  honor 

his  spouse. 

4.  (80)     "What  does  it  mean  to  love  and  honor  one's  spouse?"     "To 

look  upon  one's  husband  or  wife  as  a  dear  gift  of  God,  and 
to   remain   constant  in  affection   and   fidelity  to   each  other." 

5.  What  does  the  word  "spouse"  mean?     It  means  husband  or  wife. 

6.  Read  what  is  written  Gen.  2,  18.     "And  the  Lord  God  said,  it  is 

not  good  that  the   man  should   be  alone,    I   will   make  him  a 
help  meet     for  him." 

7.  What  did  God  do  because  He  saw  that  it  was  not  good  for  a  man 

to  be  alone?     He  made  a  woman  to  be  his  wife. 

8.  Who  then  is  the  author  of  marriage?     God  himself  is  the  author 

of   marriage. 

9.  In  what  moral  condition  were  man  and  woman  when  God  brought 

them  together?     They  were   pure   and   holy. 

10.  With   what  words   did   God    bless   the   iirst   couple?     Gen.    1,    28. 

"And   God   blessed  them   and   said  unto  them:    be  fruitful  and 
multiply,   and   replenish  the   earth,   and   subdue   it." 

11.  God,  who  is  holy,  is  the  author  of  marriage;   therefore  marriage 

is  what  kind  of  a  state?     It  is  a  holy  state. 

12.  What  two  kinds  of  persons  did  God  unite  in  marriage?     One  man 

and  one  woman. 
!.'>.     According  to  God's  order  then  a  husband  should  have  how  many 
wives?     A  husband  should  have  one  wife. 

14.  And   a   wife   should   have  hOAV   many   husbands?     A    wife   should 

have  one  husband. 

15.  When  husband  and  wife  enter  marriage,   how  long  are  they  to 

remain  together?     As  long  as  they  both  live. 

16.  What  may  either  do  upon  the  death  of  the  other?     Either  may 

marry  again. 

17.  On  what  occasion   was  the  Lord  Jesus  a  guest  in   the  town   of 

Cana  of  Galilee?     He  was  guest  at  a  wedding. 

18.  What   remarkable   thing   did   .Jesus    do    at   this    wedding?     Jesus 

turned  water  into  wine. 

19 .  This  was  a  miracle.     Jesus  performed  many  miracles,  but  what 

can  you  say  of  this  particular  one?     It  was  his  first  miracle. 

20.  What  does  this  show  as  to  how  Jesus   regarded  marriage?     He 

was  pleased  with  it. 

21.  What  does  the  Catechism,  question  80.  say  as  to  how  each  should 

regard  one's  husband  or  wife?     As  a  dear  gift  of  God. 

22.  What  then   should   a  husband  think  about  his   wife?     That   God 

gave  her  to  him. 

2.3.  And  the  same,  of  course,  a  wife  should  think  of  her  husband.  In 
order  that  this  may  be  the  case  young  people  should  be  very 
careful  when  they  enter  the  married  state.  When  Isaac  was 
old  enough  to  marry,  what  promise  did  Al)raham  his  father 
take  from  Elioser  his  eldest  servant?  Gen.  24,  ?>.  He  made 
him  swear  that  he  would  not  take  one  of  the  women  of 
Canaan  to  be  Isaac's  wife. 

24.  Why  do  you  suppose  Abraham  was  so  very  particular  about  this? 
Because  the   Canaanites  were  wicked   idolaters. 


68  LESSON    21. 

25.  Yes,  it  is  very  frequently  tlie  cause  of  much  strife  and  misery 

wtien  liusband  and  wife  are  not  of  the  same  religion,  or  when 
one  is  wicked  and  frivolous.  Many  look  simply  upon  beauty, 
wealth  or  social  standing  when  they  engage  to  be  married. 
What  is  much  more  important  than  these?     Faith  and  piety. 

26.  Who  was  very  much  concerned  in  the  selection  of  Isaac's  wife? 

His  father  Abraham. 

27.  Whom  should  young  people  consult  when  they  choose  life  part- 

ners?    They   should   consult  their  parents. 

28.  As  in  all  matters  of  importance,  whom  above  all  should  we  ask 

for  guidance  in  the  selection  of  husband  or  wife?  We  should 
ask  God. 

29.  Read  what  is  written  Matt.  19,  6.     "Wherefore  they  are  no  more 

twain,  but  one  flesh.  What  therefore  God  hath  joined  to- 
gether, let  no  man   put  asunder." 

30.  How  should  husband  and  wife  look  upon  their  union?     That  they 

are  not  two  but  one.  And  that  God  has  joined  them  to- 
gether. 

31.  Through  whom  does  God  pronounce  his  blessing  upon  a  couple 

when  they  are  married?  Through  the  minister  of  the 
Gospel. 

32.  What  does  Luther  in  his  explanation  of  the  sixth  commandment 

say  of  the  proper  relation  between  husband  and  wife.  Each 
should  love  and  honor  the  other. 

33.  And  what  does  the  latter  half  of  question  80  say?     They  should 

remain  constant  in  affection  and  fidelity  to  each  other. 

34.  Each  should  love  the  other.     Turn  to  Eph.  .5,  25,  and  read  what 

the  apostle  there  says  to  husbands.  "Husbands,  love  your 
wives,  even  as  Christ  also  loved  the  church,  and  gave  him- 
self for  it." 

35.  How  did  Christ  show  his  love  for  the  Church?     He  died  for  the 

Church. 

36.  So  a  husband,  if  need  be,  should  be  willing  to  die  for  his  wife. 

'  And  in  the  same  chapter,  verse  24,  he  tells  the  wives  their 
duty  toward  their  husband.  Read  the  verse.  "Therefore  as 
the  Church  is  subject  unto  Christ,  so  let  the  wives  be  to  their 
own   husbands  in  every  thing." 

37.  The  Church  is  subject  to  Christ  not  from  compulsion  but  from 

love.  Then  what  should  be  the  relation  of  a  wife  to  her 
husband?     She  should  love  her  husband. 

38.  What  then  is  the  first  and  most  important  duty  that  husband  and 

wife  owe  each  other?     They  should  love  each  other. 

39.  Luther  in  his  explanation   says  they  should  not  only  love  each 

other,  but  what  else  should  they  do?  They  should  honor 
each  other. 

40.  What  is  the  greatest  honor  that  each  can  show  the  other?     You 

will  find  it  expressed  in  the  first  part  of  question  80.  That 
each   look  upon  the  other  as  a  dear  gift  of  God. 

H.  .\nd  how  should  we  regard  all  gifts  of  God?  We  should  think 
highly  of  them. 

42.  A  God-fearing  husband  will  see  good  (lualities  in  his  wife  that 
no  one  else  notices,  and  so  a  wife  in  her  husband.  But  none 
of  us  is  perfect.  How  should  they  regard  each  other's  faults? 
They  should  overlook  and  be  patient  with  them. 


LESSON    22.  HO 

43.  (81)     "What  is  threatened  in  this  commandment?"     "Whoremon- 

gers and  adulterers  God  will  judge."  (Heb.  13,  4.)  "Be  not 
deceived:  neither  fornicators,  nor  idolaters,  nor  adulterers, 
nor  effeminate,  nor  abusers  of  themselves  with  mankind,  nor 
thieves,  nor  covetous,  nor  drunkards,  nor  revilers,  nor  extor- 
tioners shall  inherit  the  kinqdom  of  God."     (1   Cor.  6,  9.  10.) 

44.  What  is  liere  said   of  whorenionsers   and   adulterers?     God    will 

judge  them. 

45.  V/hat  does  this  men?     God  will  punish  them. 

46.  The  inhabitants  of  Sodom  were  particularly  given  to  sins  against 

the  sixth  commandment.  How  did  God  punish  them?  He 
destroyed  them  with  fire  from  heaven. 

47.  So  the  Canaanites  were  given  to  these  sins.     What  did  God  com- 

mand Israel  to  do  with  these  godless  people?  Lev.  18,  24. 
2.5.     To   destroy  them   utterly. 

48.  Children,  there  are  no  sins  which  God  punishes  more  certainly 

and  terribly  than  those  against  this  sixth  commandment. 
Loathsome  disease,  pain,  misery,  shame  and  disgrace,  yea 
death  itself,  are  visited  upon  those  who  live  unclean  lives. 
The  curse  of  God  rests  on  men  and  women  who  are  unchaste 
in  their  thoughts,  words  and  deeds.  Even  children  and  chil- 
dren's children  must  often  suffer  from  the  sins  of  such 
wicked  people.  What  does  the  apostle  say  of  them  in  the 
latter  part  of  question  81?  "They  shall  not  inherit  the  king- 
dom  of   God." 

49.  What  does  he  mean  by  this?     They  can   not  go  to  heaven. 

50.  No,    not    unless    they    repent   and    turn    from    their    wickedness. 

Read  wliat  is  written  Rev.  2],  8.  "But  the  fearful,  and  un- 
believing, and  the  abominable,  and  murderers,  and  whore- 
mongers, and  sorcerers,  and  idolaters,  and  all  liars,  shall 
have  their  part  in  the  lake  which  burneth  with  fire  and 
brimstone:    which    is  the  second  death." 

51 .  The    misery    and    wretchedness    which    such    people    bring    upon 

themselves  in  this  world  is  only  the  beginning  of  a  wretch- 
edness which  shall  never  end  in  the  world  to  come.  How 
should  we  regard  this  wrath  of  God?  We  should  fear  his 
wrath  and  not  act  contrary  to  his  commandment. 


LESSON   22.     WHAT   IS   FORBIDDEN    IN    THE  SEVENTH 
COMMANDMENT. 

(Questions  82-85.) 

(82)  "Which  is  the  seventh  commandment?"  "Thou  shalt  not 
steal." 

(83)  "What  does  this  mean?"  "We  should  fear  and  love  God  that 
we  may  not  take  our  neighbor's  money  or  goods,  nor  get 
them  by  false  wares  or  dealing;  but  help  him  to  improve  and 
protect  his  property  and  business." 

(84)  "What  is  forbidden  in  this  commandment?"  "We  should 
not  steal;  or  take  our  neighbor's  money  or  goods,  nor  get 
them  by  false  wares  or  dealing." 

What  does  the  seventh  commandment  say  we  should  not  do?  It 
says  we  should  not  steal. 


70  LESSON    22. 

5.  What  is  stealing?     Stealing  is  taking  a  thing   that  does   not  be- 

long to  us. 

6.  What    does    Luther,    in    his    explanation    of    this    commandment 

(Question  83),  say  we  should  not  take?     He  says  we  should 
not  take  our  neighbor's  money  or  goods. 

7.  The  fifth  commandment  protects  our  neighbor's  life,  the  sixth  his 

chastity.  What  does  this  seventh  commandment  protect? 
It  protects  his  money  or  goods. 

8.  Give  me  one  word  which  expresses  both  money  and  goods.     The 

word  property. 

9.  A  man's  property  is  that  wliich  he  owns.     To  whom  does  that 

belong  which  is  a  man's  own?     It  belongs  to  him. 

10.  Who  is  the  creator  and  rightful  owner  of  all  things  in  heaven 
and  on  earth?     God  is  the  creator  and  owner  of  all  things. 

IT.  Read  the  passage.  1  Cor.  TO,  26.  "For  the  earth  is  the  Lord's, 
and  the  fulness  thereof." 

12.  What   then   belongs   to  God?     The   earth   and   the  fulness  thereof 

belong  to  God. 

13.  What  does  this  moan?     It   means  the  world  and  everything  that 

is  in   it. 

14.  Yes,  God  is  the  original  and  rightful  owner  of  all  things.     Now 

read  what  the  Lord  says,  .ler  27,  5.  "I  have  made  the  earth, 
the  man  and  the  beast  that  are  upon  the  ground,  by  my 
great  power  and  by  my  outstretched  arm,  and  have  given  it 
unto  whom   it  seemed  meet  unto  me." 

15.  The   earth   with   its   land,   forests,   minerals,   plants   and   animals 

belongs  to  God  who  made  them  and  He  never  gives  up  His 
right  of  ownership.  And  yet,  what  is  said  in  the  second  part 
of  the  passage  you  have  just  read?  That  God  has  given  the 
earth  to  whom  it  pleased  him. 

16.  Now  let  us  see  in  what  sense  God  gives  to  men  the  earth  and  its 

goods.  Read  what  is  written,  1  Peter  4,  TO.  "As  every  man 
has  received  the  gift^  even  so  minister  the  same  one  to  an- 
other, as  stewards  of  the  manifold  grace  of  God." 

17.  What  are  men  called  in  the  second  half  of  this  passage?     They 

are  called  stewards. 

18.  In  the  parable  of  the  unjust  steward,  Lulce  T6,  T-12,  how  is  God 

represented?     He  is  represented  as  a  rich  man. 

19.  And  how  are  we  represented?     We  are  represented  as  stewards. 

20.  Yes,  God  entrusts  the  goods  of  this  world  to  us.     We  hold  them 

in  trust.  Now  let  us  see  how  God  does  this,  how  we  rightly 
come  into  the  possession  of  those  things  which  God  intends 
us  to  have  and  to  hold  in  trust  for  him.  Isaac  was  a  wealthy 
man.  He  possessed  immense  flocl^s  and  herds.  Where  did 
he  get  all  this  wealth?  He  inherited  it  from  his  father, 
Abraham. 
2T.  This  is  one  way  in  which  God  deals  out  the  goods  of  this  world. 
Give  me  the  word  that  expresses  this  way  of  getting  prop- 
erty.    By  inheritance. 

22.  .Tacob  also  became  a  rich  man.     Although  Avhen  he  left  home  he 

took  nothing  with  him  but  a  staff.  Gen.  32,  TO.  He  stayed 
Avith  his  uncle  Laban  for  20  years.  What  did  he  do  while  he 
was  with  his  uncle?     He  had  charge  of  his  flocks. 

23.  Under  what  conditions   did   he   perform   this   labor?     He   worked 

for  wages. 


Lesson  22.  71 

24.  So  this  is  another  way  in  which  God  deals  out  the  goods  of  this 

world.  When  may  a  man  lay  just  claim  to  money  or  goods? 
When  he  earns  them  by  his  labor. 

25.  And   yet  how  did   Jacob  feel   toward   (lod    with   reference  to  his 

great  wealth?  Cen.  ;;2,  10.  He  said:  "I  am  not  worthy  of 
the  least  of  all  the  mercies,  and  of  all  the  truth  which  thou 
hast  showed  unto  thy  servant." 

26.  Yes,   it  was  not  simply  his  labor   that   made   him   rich,   but  the 

blessing  of  God.  When  Solomon  became  king  of  Israel  he 
asked  for  wisdom,  but  God  gave  him  even  more  than  he  had 
asked  for.  Turn  to  1  Kings  3,  13,  and  tell  me  what  God 
gave  him  in  addition  to  wisdom.  God  gave  him  riches  and 
honor. 

27.  Read  what  is  written,   Ir^rov.  10,  22.     "The  blessing  of  the   Lord, 

it  maketh  rich." 

28.  When  .Jacob,  returning  from  Mesopotamia,  met  his  brother  Esau 

what  did  the  latter  offer  him?  Gen.  32,  13-17.  He  offered 
him  presents. 

29.  Why   would    it   have    been    right  for   Esau    to   take   these    gifts? 

Because  his  brother  offered  them  to  him  as  a  present. 

30.  So  here  is  another  way  in  which  we  may  rightly  come  into  the 

possession  of  money  or  goods.  What  is  it?  When  they  are 
given  to  us  as  a  present. 

31.  When  Abraham  wanted  the  cave  at  Machpelah  as  a  burial  place, 

how  did  he  propose  to  get  it?  Gen.  23,  8.  9.  He  proposed  to 
buy  it. 

32.  So  here  is  another  way  in  which  we  may  get  earthly  possessions. 

What  is  this  way?     We  may  buy  them. 

33.  When  a  thing  is   lost,   and   all  efforts   at  finding  the  owner  are 

fruitless,  to  whom  does  the  thing  then  belong?  It  belongs  to 
the  finder. 

34.  These  then  are  the  ways  by  which  we  may  rightly  come  into  the 

possession  of  property.  Repeat  them.  By  inheritance,  labor, 
gift,  purchase,  finding   or  discovery. 

35.  These   are   God's    ways   of   dividing   worldly    possessions.     These 

are  the  ways  in  which  He  blesses  men  in  temporal  things. 
He  that  holds  property  in  one  of  these  ways,  holds  it  by  right. 
And,  because  God  has  so  ordered  it,  what  may  we  call  this 
right  of  property?     We  may  call   it  a  divine   right. 

36.  Yes,  the  right  to  have  and  to  hold  property  is  just  as  much  a 

divine  right  as  the  right  to  live.  In  fact  the  one  can  not 
exist  without  the  other,  for  what  do  we  need  to  live?  We 
need  food,  houses,  clothing,  money,  goods  and  the  like. 

37.  Now  tell  me  from  question  84,  what  is  forbidden  in  this  seventh 

commandment?  We  should  not  steal,  or  take  our  neighbor's 
money  or  goods.,  nor  get  them  by  false  wares  or  dealing. 

38.  (85)      "When    is    this    done?"     "When    we    wrongfully    desire    or 

appropriate  the  goods  cf  our  neighbor." 

39.  What  is   here  mentioned   first?     When   we   wrongfully  desire  the 

goods  of  our  neighbor. 

40.  Repeat  the  passage  Matt.  15,  19.     "Out  of  the  heart  proceed  evil 

thougths,  rpurders,  adulteries,  fornications,  thefts,  false  wit- 
ness, blasphemies." 

41.  What  sin  is  here  mentioned  against  the  seventh  commandment? 

The  sin  of  theft. 


72  LESSON    22. 

42.  Where,    according   to    the    Saviour's    word,    do    these    sins    come 

from?     They  proceed  out  of  the  heart. 

43.  When  a  man  has  evil  desires  towards  his  neighbor's  goods,   he 

begins  to  look  after  them  lustfully.  Repeat  the  passage, 
Prov.  23,  5.  "Wilt  thou  set  thine  eyes  upon  that  which  is 
not." 

44.  In  the  seventh  chapter  of  Joshua  we  are  told  about  a  man  by  the 

name  of  Achan  who  set  his  heart  and  cast  his  eyes  on  things 
that  were  not  his  own.  Read  what  he  says,  verse  21. 
"When  1  saw  among  the  spoils  a  goodly  Babylonish  garment, 
and  two  hundred  shekels  of  silver,  and  a  wedge  of  gold  of 
fifty  shekels  weight,  then    I    coveted   them,   and   took   them." 

45.  What  was  this  coveting  and  taking?     It  was  stealing. 

46.  When  my  neighbor  has  something  that  I  need  or  want,  how  may 

I  rightfully  get  it?     I  may  buy  and  pay  for  it. 

47.  Yes,  I  exchange  my  money  for  his  goods.     What  do  we  call  such 

exchange?     We  call  it  buying  and  selling,  or  business. 

48.  What  should  we  carefully  guard  against  in  all  matters  of  busi- 

ness?    We  should  guard  against  dishonesty  and  fraud. 

49.  Repeat  the  passage  1  Thess.  4,  6.     "That  no  man  go  beyond  and 

defraud  his  brother  in  any  matter;  because  that  the  Lord  is 
the  avenger  of  all   such." 

50.  In  Lev.  19,  35.  36,  there  are  some  dishonest  things  in  trade  or 

business  spoken  of,  what  are  they?  "Ye  shall  do  no  un 
righteousness  in  judgment,  in  meteyard,  in  weight  or  in 
measure.  Just  balances,  just  weights,  just  ephah,  and  a  just 
hin,  shall  ye   have." 

51.  All  short  measure,  light  weight,  all  adulterations  or  taking  advan- 

tage of  the  ignorance  or  inexperience  of  customers  is  a  sin 
against  the  seventh  commandment.  What  does  the  passage, 
Luke  3,  13,  warn  against?  "Exact  no  more  than  that  which 
is  appointed  you." 

52.  Thl=   forbids  all  overcharging  or  exorbitant  prices.     We  should 

never  ask  more  for  a  thing  than  it  is  honestly  worth.  Re- 
peat the  passage  Prov.  28,  8.  "He  that  by  usury  and  unjust 
gain  increaseth  his  substance,  he  shall  gather  it  for  him  that 
will  pity  the  poor." 

53.  Usury  is  unjust  and  exorbitant  interest.     We  should  never  take 

advantage  of  our  neighbor's  need  and  charge  him  more  for 
the  use  of  money  or  goods,  just  because  he  is  hard  pressed 
and  must  have  them.  What  does  the  passage  say  of  such 
gain?     It  is  unjust  gain. 

54.  And  what  else  is  said  of  such  gain?     "He  shall  gather  it  for  him 

that  will  pity  the  poor." 

55.  Yes,  he  can  not  keep  his  unjust  gain,  it  will  be  taken  away  from 

him  and  given  to  others  who  are  not  so  hard-hearted.  When 
a  man  borrows  money  or  goods  to  what  is  he  obligated?  He 
is  obligated  to  pay  it  back  again. 

56.  What  does  the  passage  Ps.  37,  21  say?     "The  wicked  borroweth 

and  payeth  not  again." 

57.  What  kind  of  people  are  they  who  carelessly  go  into  debt  and  are 

indifferent  about  payment?     They  are  wicked  people. 

58.  Wiien  a  man  works  for  another,  what  does  the  one  for  whom  he 

works  owe  him?     He  owes  him  his  wages. 


LESSON  22  73 

59.  Repeat  the  passage  Jer.  22,  13.     "Woe  unto  him  that  buildeth  his 

house  by  unrighteousness,  and  his  chambers  by  wrong;  that 
useth  his  neighbor's  service  without  wages,  and  giveth  him 
not  for  his  work." 

60.  What  does  God  say  of  the  man  who  useth  his  neighbor's  service 

without  wages?     He  says,  woe  unto  him. 

61.  And  this  means  that  the  curse  of  God  rests  on  such  a  man.     God 

is  very  particular  about  this  question  of  wages.  Read  what 
is  written,  Lev.  19,  13.  "Thou  shalt  not  defraud  thy  neigh- 
bor, neither  rob  him;  the  wages  of  him  that  is  hired  shall 
not  abide  with  thee  all  night  until  the  morning." 

62.  And  when  a  man  works  for  wages  he  should  be  careful  to  do  an 

honest  day's  work.  But  when  he  is  lazy  and  careless  about 
his  work,  how  does  he  come  by  his  wages?  He  comes  by 
them  dishonestly. 

63.  Not  only  should   we   be  careful  ourselves  not  to  steal,   but  we 

should  carefully  avoid  taking  any  part  with  thieves,  as  in 
concealing  stolen  property,  or  covering  up  dishonesty.  Read 
what  is  written,  Prov.  29,  24.  "Whoso  is  partner  with  a  thief 
hateth  his  own  soul." 

64.  There  are  people  who  are  too  lazy  to  work,  and  yet  they  want 

to  live.  What  do  such  people  do  for  a  living?  They  beg  or 
steal. 

65.  Yes,   and   one   is   as   disgraceful   as   the  other.     What   does   the 

Apostle  say  of  such  lazy  people,  2  Thess.  3,  10.  11?  "For 
even  when  we  were  with  you,  this  we  commanded  you,  that 
if  any  would  not  work,  neither  should  they  eat.  For  we  hear 
that  there  are  some  which  walk  among  you  disorderly,  work- 
ing not  at  all,  but  are  busybodies.  Now  them  that  are  such 
we  command  and  exhort  by  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  with 
quietness  they  work,  and  eat  their  own  bread." 

66.  Read  also  what  is  written,  Prov.  18,  9.     "He  also  that  is  slothful 

in  his  work  is  brother  to  him  that  is  a  great  waster." 

67.  All  gambling  and  betting  comes  under  the  head  of  unjust  gain. 

The  gambler  places  his  own  money  in  jeopardy  unnecessarily 
and,  if  he  gains,  it  is  illgotten,  for  it  is  neither  inherited, 
earned,  given,  bought  nor  found.  Gamblers  are  either  too 
lazy  to  work  or  to  eager  to  get  rich  and  in  either  case  they 
sin  against  God's  order  in  the  seventh  commandment.  So 
what  may  we  rightly  call  the  gambler?  The  gambler  is  a 
thief. 

68.  When  the  poor  man  of  whom  the  Savior  speaks  in  Luke  10.  30, 

went  down  from  Jerusalem  to  Jericho,  and  to  whom  the  good 
Samaritan  afterward  showed  such  mercy,  into  v/hose  hands 
did  he  fall?     He  fell  among  thieves. 

69.  What   did   they   do   to   him?     They  stripped    him    of   his    raiment 

and  wounded  him. 

70.  Yes,  they  robbed  him  even   of  his  clothes.     How  did  they  take 

the  man's  goods?     They  took  them  by  force. 

71 .  But  not  all  thieves  use  force,  in  what  other  way  is  robbery  often 

committed?     By  frayd  or  deceit, 


74  LESSON    23. 

LESSON  23.      WHAT   IS  COMMANDED   IN  THE  SEVENTH 
COMMANDMENT. 

(Questions  86-88.) 

1.  Repeat  the  seventh  commandment.     "Thou  shalt  not  steal." 

2.  What  doQS  this  mean?     "We  should  fear  and   love   God  that  we 

may  not  take  our  neighbor's  money  or  goods,  nor  get  them 
by  false  wares  or  dealing;  but  help  him  to  improve  and  pro- 
tect his  property  and  business." 

3.  Tell  me  first  what  is  forbidden  in  this  commandment   (Question 

84).  "We  should  not  steal;  or  not  take  our  neighbor's  money 
or  goods,  nor  get  them  by  false  wares  or  dealing." 

4.  (86)     "What  on  the  contrary  is  commanded  us?"     "That  we  help 

our  neighbor  to  improve  and  protect  his  property  and  busi- 
ness." 

5.  To  whom  do  all  things  originally  belong?     They  belong  to  God. 

6.  Why  do  all  things  properly  belong  to  God?     Because  He  created 

all  things. 

7.  Yes,  God  is  the  rightful  owner  of  all  property.     How  then  does 

man  come  into  the  possession  of  money  or  goods?  God  gives 
them  to  him. 

8.  Yes,  and  yet  God  does  not  give  us  these  things  to  do  with  them 

as  we  please.  He  is  still  the  rightful  owner  and  will  call  us 
to  an  account  for  their  use.  In  what  way  does  a  man  hold 
that  for  which  he  is  supposed  to  render  an  account?  He 
holds  it  in  trust. 

9.  When  a  man  holds  things  in  trust  according  to  whose  will  must 

he  use  them?     According  to  the  will  of  the  owner. 

10.  God   entrusts   money   and    goods   to    us   for   our   support   in   this 

world.  What  may  we  secure  with  money?  We  may  buy 
food,  drink,  clothing,  houses  and  the  like. 

11.  What  do  we  need  these  things  for?     We  need  these  things  to  live. 

12.  Yes,  but  God  is  kind  and  would  have  us  secure  not  only  the  bare 

necessities  of  life.  We  may  also  have  the  comforts  and  en- 
joymehts.  Mention  other  things  for  the  securing  of  which 
we  may  use  money,  besides  the  mere  necessities  of  life.  We 
may  use  money  to  get  an  education  or  to  travel. 

13.  Yes,  only  when  it  comes  to  securing  things  that  are  not  really 

necessary,  we  should  be  careful  not  to  drift  into  sinful  indul- 
gence. Then  besides  the  things  we  need  for  the  body  what 
other  wants  have  we?     We  have  spiritual  wants. 

14.  Mention   some  things  which  we  need   for  our  spiritual   welfare. 

We  need  the  word  of  God  and  the  holy  sacraments. 

15.  Where  do  we  find  the  word  of  God  and  the  sacraments?     We  find 

them  in  the  church. 

16.  What  office  has  God  established  in  the  church  in  order  that  the 

Word  of  God  may  be  preached  and  the  sacraments  admin- 
istered?    He  has  established  the  office  of  the  ministry. 

17.  How  is  the  office  of  the  ministry  to  be  supported?     It  is  to   be 

supported   by  the  contributions  of  the  church   members. 

18.  This  is  plainly  taught  in  Gal.  8,  R.     Turn  to  and  read  the  passage. 

"Let  him  that  is  taught  in  the  word  communicate  unto  him 
that  teacheth   In  all  good  things." 

19.  And  again  1  Cor.  9,  14.     "Even  so  the   Lord  hath  ordained,  that 

they  which  preach  the  Gospel  should  live'  of  the  Gospel." 


LESSON    23.  75 

20.  So  it  it  evident  tliat  God  wants  us  to  use  the  money  and  goods 

which  he  entrusts  to  us  for  the  support  of  the  ministry  and 
the  church.  He  wants  onr  spiritual  as  well  as  our  bodily 
wants  supplied.  But  we  should  not  be  selfish  in  the  use  of 
money  or  goods.  God  has  entrusted  these  things  to  us  not 
simply  for  our  own  use  but  also  for  the  good  of  others.  When 
a  husband  or  father  earns  money,  for  whose  welfare,  besides 
his  own,  should  he  use  his  wages?  For  the  welfare  of  his 
wife  and  children. 

21.  Turn  to  and  read  the  passage  1   Tim.  5,  8.     "But  if  any  provide 

not  for  his  own,  and  especially  for  those  of  his  own  house,  he 
hath  denied  the  faith,  and  is  worse  than  an  infidel." 

22.  But  in  looking  after  the  bodily  and  spiritual  wants  of  others  we 

should  not  only  think  of  those  of  our  own  households.  For 
what  other  purpose  should  we  use  our  money?  For  the 
benefit  of  the  poor. 

23.  Repeat    the    passage    1    John    3,    17.     "Whoso    hath    this    world's 

goods,  and  seeth  his  brother  have  need,  and  shutteth  up  his 
bowels  of  compassion  from  him,  how  dwelleth  the  love  of 
God  in  him?" 

24.  If  the  love  of  God  dwells  in  our  hearts  how  will  we  show  it  to- 

ward those  who  are  in  need?     We  will  help  them. 

25.  Read  what  is  written,  Deut.  15,  7.  8.     "If  there  be  among  you  a 

poor  man  of  one  of  thy  brethren  within  any  of  thy  gates  in 
thy  land  which  the  Lord  thy  God  giv.eth  thee,  thou  shalt  not 
harden  thine  heart,  nor  shut  thine  hand  from  thy  poor 
brother:  But  thou  shalt  open  thine  hand  wide  unto  him,  and 
Shalt  surely  lend  him  sufficient  for  his  need,  in  that  which 
he  wanteth." 

26.  Now  repeat  the  passage  Matt.  5,   42.     "Give  to   him  that  asketh 

thee,  and  from  him  that  would  borrow  of  thee  turn  thou  not 
away." 

27.  What  two  things  does  the  Savior  here  ask  of  us?      That  we  give 

and  lend. 

28.  What  is  the  difference  between  giving  and  lending?     When   we 

give  a  thing  we  do  not  expect  it  back  again,  but  when  we 
only  lend   it  we  expect  it  to  be  paid  back  again. 

29.  When  our  neighbor  is  in  need  it  may  not  always  be  necessary  to 

give  him,  but  what  may  at  times  be  sufficient?  It  may  be 
sufficient  to  lend  him  what  he  needs. 

30.  Read  what  the  Savior  says,  Luke  6,  35.     "But  love  ye  your  ene- 

mies, and  do  good,  and  lend,  hoping  for  nothing  again;  and 
your  reward  shall  be  great." 

31.  What  does  the  Savior  here  tell  us  not  to  be  too  much  concerned 

about  when  we  lend  to  those  who  are  in  need?  About  get- 
ting it  back  again. 

32.  Yes,  and  this   he   says  even   in  reference  to   our  enemies.      We 

should   be  liberal  with   the  things  which  God   has  so  richly 

given  LIS.  Wliat  does  Solomon  say,  Prov.  11,  25?  "The  lib- 
era! soul  shall   be  made  fat." 

33.  Now   read   what   the  apostle   writes,   Eph.   4.    28.     "Let  him  that 

stole  steal  no  more;   but  rather  let  him  labor  with  his  hands 
the   thing  which    is  good,  that   he   may   have   to  give   to    him 
that  needeth." 
84.     What  does  the  apostle  here  assign  as  a  reason  why  we  should 
work?     That  we  may  have  to  give  to  those  who  are  in  need. 


76  LESSON    23, 

35.  What  commandment  did  the  Savior  give  his  disciples  with  refer- 

ence to  the  fi-agments  that  were  left  after  he  had  fed  the 
multitude?  John  6,  12.  "Gather  up  the  fragments  that  re- 
main, that  nothing  be   lost." 

36.  Yes,  we  should  let  nothing  go  to  waste.     If  we  have  more  of  food 

or  clothing  than  we  need  for  ourselves,  what  should  we  do 
with  it?     We  should  give  it  to  the  poor. 

37.  Read  what  is  written,  Heb.  13,  16.     "But  to  do  good  and  to  com- 

municate forget  not,  for  with  such  sacrifices  God  is  well 
pleased." 

38.  And   this   doing  good   and  giving  does   not   simply   refer   to   the 

bodily  wants  of  our  neighbor.  What  else  should  we  be  con- 
cerned about?  We  should  also  be  concerned  about  his  spir- 
itual wants. 

39.  How  can  we  help  people  who  are  without  the  word  of  God  and 

ministers  of  the  Gospel?  We  can  send  them  Bibles  and  mis- 
sionaries. 

40.  Yes,  this  is   a  very   proper  and   God-pleasing   way   of   using  our 

money  and  goods.  What  do  we  call  this  work  of  supplying 
the  spiritually  destitute  with  the  means  of  grace?  We  call 
it  the  worl<  of  missions. 

41.  (86)     Now  tell  me  from  question  86  what  is  commanded  us  in 

the  seventh  commandment?  "That  we  help  our  neighbor  to 
improve  and  protect  his  property  and  business." 

42.  (87)     "When  is  this  done?"     "When  we,  as  his  property  and  busi- 

ness demand,  come  to  his  aid  with  word  and  deed." 

43.  Every  man  is  concerned  about  improving  his  own  financial  con- 

dition. We  are  anxious  to  get  along  well  in  the  world.  But 
the  I.iord  says  we  should  love  our  neighbor  as  ourselves.  If 
we  do  this  then  how  will  we  feel  al)out  our  neighbor's  tem- 
poral welfare?  We  will  be  concerned  that  he  gets  along 
well  in  the  world,  that  his  financial  condition   is  improved. 

44.  Wliat   else   does   the   commandment   ask   of  us   besides    that   we 

improve  our  neighbor's  property  and  business?  That  we 
protect  his  property  and  business. 

45.  Against  what  should  we  protect  our  neighbor?     We  should  pro- 

tect him  against  loss. 

46.  Of  this  we  have  an  example  in  the  passage  Ex.  23,  4.    Repeat  the 

verse,  "if  thou  meet  thine  enemy's  ox  or  ass  going  astray, 
thou  shalt  surely  bring  it  back  to  him  again." 

47.  When  Joseph  was  set  over  Potiphar's  house  what  was  he  con- 

cei-ned  about  with  reference  to  his  master's  property?  He 
was  anxious  to  improve  and  protect  it. 

48.  How  did  his  master  g?t  along  financially  under  Joseph's  manage- 

ment?    He  got  along  well  under  it. 

49.  Suppose  our  neighbor's  property  be  in  danger  from  fire  or  water 

what  does  this  seventh  commandment  demand  of  us?  It  de- 
mands that  we  help  save  our  neighbor's  property. 

50.  Or  if  he  is  in  danger  of  losing  his  property  by  thieves  or  swind- 

lers what  should  we  do?     We  should  warn  him. 

51 .  (88)     "What   is  threatened  in   this   commandment?"     "Know   ye 

not  that  the  unrighteous  shall  not  inherit  the  kingdom  of 
God?" 

52.  By  the  unrighteous  are  here  meant  those  who  do  not  do  right, 

who  are  not  honest.  What  does  the  apostle  say  of  such? 
He  says  they  shall  not  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God. 


LESSON  24.  77 

53.  Yes,  unless  dishonest  men  and  thieves  turn  from  their  wicked- 
ness and  repent  what  will  become  of  them?  They  can  not 
enter  heaven,  they  will  be  lost  forever. 


LESSON   24.     WHAT    IS   FORBIDDEN    IN   THE    EIGHTH 
COMMANDMENT. 

(Questions  89-94.) 

1.  (89)     "Which    is   the   eighth   commandment?"     "Thou    shalt    not 

bear  false  witness  against  thy  neighbor." 

2.  (90)     "What  does  this  mean?"     "We  should  fear  and   love  God, 

that  we  may  not  deceitfully  belie,  betray,  slander,  or  defame 
our  neighbor:  but  excuse  him,  speak  well  of  him,  and  put 
the  best  construction  on  everything." 

3.  (91)     "What  is  forbidden  in  this  commandment?"     "We   should 

not  bear  false  witness;  or,  not  deceitfully  belie,  betray,  slan- 
der or  defame  our  neighbor." 

4.  To  bear  witness  or  testimony  means  to  say  something  about  a 

person.  What  kind  of  witness  is  spoken  of  in  this  command- 
ment?    False  witness  is  spoken  of. 

5.  Witness  or  testimony  may  be  of  what  two  kinds?     It  may  be  true 

or  false. 

6.  What  is   injured   when   false   reports   are   spread   about   a  man? 

His  good  name  is  injured. 

7.  So  what  does  God  wish  to  protect  in  the  eighth  commandment? 

God  wishes  to  protect  our  neighbor's  good  name. 

8.  What  does  God  wish  to  protect  in  the  fifth  commandment?     He 

protects  our  neighbor's  life. 

9.  What  does  he  protect  in   the   seventh   commandment?     He    pro- 

tects our  neighbor's  property. 

10.  Now  in  the  eighth  commandment  God  protects  that  which  is  even 

more  valuable  than  property.  Read  the  passage  Prov.  22,  1. 
"A  good  name  is  rather  to  be  chosen  than  riches,  and  loving 
favor  rather  than  gold  and  silver." 

11.  What   is   it,   then,   that   is   more   valuable    than   riches?     A    good 

name  is  more  valuable  than  riches. 

12.  A  good  name  is  worth  more  than  silver  or  gold.     Money  can  not 

buy  it  nor  bring  it  back  when  it  is  lost.  By  what  kind  of 
witness  or  testimony  is  a  man's  good  name  injured?  By 
false  witness. 

13.  In  Liither's  explanation  of  the  eighth  commandment,  question  90, 

he  mentions  various  ways  of  bearing  false  witness,  what  are 
they?  We  should  not  deceitfully  belie,  betray,  slander  or 
defame  our  neighbor. 

14.  (92)      "How  is  this   done?"     "In   a  twofold   way:    in   common   life 

and  in  court." 

15.  (93)     "When  is  it  done  in  common  life?"     "When  that  is  said  of 

our  neighbor  which  is  not  true,  or  which  in  charity  should 
not   be  said,  or  when   he   is  condemned   unheard." 

16.  What  is  the  first  thing  which  Luther  says  we  should  not  do  to- 

ward our  neighbor?  We  should  not  deceitfully  belie  our 
neighbor. 


78  LESSON  :24. 

17.  What  is  a  lie?     A  lie  is  an  untruth. 

18.  Repeat    the    passage    Eph.    4.    4.    2.5.     "Wherefore    putting    away 

lying,  speak  every  man  truth  with  his  neighbor:  for  we  are 
members  one  of  another." 

19.  What  should  we  put  away?     We  should  put  away  lying. 

20.  That  means,  we  should   tell   no   lies   at  all.     But   the   catechism 

here  adds  a  word,  to  describe  lying.  How  does  it  say  we 
should  not  belie  our  neighbor?  We  should  not  deceitfully 
belie  our  neighbor. 

21.  What  object  have  men  when  they  lie?     They  want  to   deceive. 

22.  What  does  the  Savior  say.  John  8,  44,  of  the  wicked  .Jews  who 

lied  so  shamefully  about  him?  "Ye  are  of  your  father  the 
devil,  and  the  lusts  of  your  father  ye  will  do:  he  was  a  mur- 
derer from  the  beginning,  and  abode  not  in  the  truth,  be- 
cause there  is  no  truth  in  him.  When  he  speaketh  a  lie  he 
speaketh  of   his  own:   for  he   is  a   liar,  and  the  father  of   it." 

23.  What  does  the  Savior  here  call  the  devil?     He  calls  him  a  mur- 

derer and  a  liar. 

24.  Yes,  and  he  says  the  devil  is  the  father  of  lies.   Whose  followers 

then  are  all  liars?     They  are  followers  of  the  devil. 

25.  Not  only  should  we  not  belie  our  neighbor,  but  what  else  is  for- 

bidden?    We  should  net  betray  him. 

26.  To  betray  a  thing  means  to  tell  it,  to  give  it  away.     Which  one 

of  the  disciples  betrayed  the  Savior?  Judas  Iscariot  be- 
trayed him. 

27.  Vvhat  did  he  reveal  to  the  high  priests?     He  revealed  the  place 

where  they  could  find  the  Lord,  to  take  him  prisoner. 

28.  Repeat    the   passage   Prov.    11,   1?>.     "A   tale-bearer    revealeth    se- 

crets: but  he  that  is  of  a  faithful  spirit  concealeth  the 
matter." 

29.  What  does  this  passage  call   the  man   who  reveals   secrets?     It 

calls  him  a  tale-bearer. 

30.  What  do  scholars   in  school  call  children  who  are  everlastingly 

telling  tales  about  others?     They  call  them  tattletales. 

31.  Yes,  and,  this  tale-bearing  is  a  mean,  ugly  habit.     What  does  the 

passage  just  repeated  say  of  him  that  is  of  a  faithful  spirit? 
It  says,  "He  concealeth  the  matter." 

32.  Yes,  so  long  as  we  can  with  a  good  conscience,  we  should  keep 

silence  with  reference  to  the  weaknesses  and  faults  of 
others.  And  yet,  it  may  become  necessary  to  reveal  secrets. 
For  instance,  when  others  are  in  danger  on  account  of  the 
matter.  When  Jonathan  knew  that  his  father,  king  Saul, 
had  determined  to  kill  David,  he  did  not  keep  this  secret, 
but  what  did  he  do?     He  warned  his  friend  David. 

33.  What  does  charity  require  of  us?     Give  me  the  answer  by  re- 

peating the  passage  1  Peter  4.  8.  "Charity  shall  cover  the 
multitude  of  sins." 

34.  In   Christian   charity   we   should   not   uncover   but  cover   up   our 

neighbor's  sins.  If  we  can  say  nothing  good  of  a  man,  what 
should  we  rather  do?  We  should  rather  say  nothing  about 
him. 

35.  We  have  now  seen  that  we  should  not  deceitfully  belie  nor  be- 

tray our  neighbor,  but  what  else  is  forbidden  in  this  eighth 
commandment?  We  should  not  slander  or  defame  our  neigh- 
bor. 


LESSON  24.  79 

36.  To  slander  means  to  spread  reports  about  our  neighbor  that  are 

injurious  to  his  character.  For  instance,  wlien  the  Jews 
said  of  the  Savior  that  he  was  a  Samaritan  and  had  the  devil 
(John  8,  48),  what  did  they  do  to  him?     They  slandered  him. 

37.  How  did  Potiphar's  wicked  wife  slander  Joseph?      She  told  her 

husband  that  he  wished  to  commit  adultery  with   her. 

38.  What   effect  had   this   slander  on   Joseph?     His   master   believed 

him  to  be  a  bad  man  and  had  him  put  in  prison. 

39.  What  does  the  apostle  say,  James  4,  11?     "Speak  not  evil  one  of 

another." 

40.  Repent  the  passage  Ps.  .50,  IG.  19.  20.     "But  unto  the  wicked  God 

saith:  Thou  givest  thy  mouth  to  evil,  and  thy  tongue 
frameth  deceit.  Thou  sittest  and  speakest  against  thy 
brother;   thou  slanderest  thine  own  mother's  son." 

41.  Of  whom  are  these  things  said?     They  are  said  of  the  wicked. 

42.  Tell  me  from  question  93,  the  last  clause,  another  way  of  trans- 

gressing this  commandment.  When  we  condemn  our  neigh- 
bor unheard. 

43.  What  does   it  mean  to  condemn  a   man    unheard?     It   means   to 

condemn  him  without  a  hearing. 

44.  Before  we  condemn  a  man,  or  believe  a  bad  report  concerning 

him,  what  should  we  do  after  we  have  heard  others?  We 
should  hear  him. 

45.  Yes,  every  man  should  be  given  a  chance  to  defend  himself.    And 

how  long  should  we  consider  a  man  innocent?  Until  he  is 
proven  guilty, 

46.  What  does  the  Savior  say,  Luke  6,  37?     "Judge  not  and  ye  shall 

not  be  judged:  condemn  not  and  ye  shall  not  be  condemned." 

47.  This  commandment  is  trangressed  not  only  in  common  life  but 

in  what  other  way?  Question  92.  It  is  also  transgressed  in 
court. 

48.  (94)      "When   is   it   done   in   court?"     "When    knowingly   the    un- 

truth  is  told,  or  the  truth   is  suppressed." 

49.  When  a  witness  appears  in  court  he  is  put  under  oath  to  tell  the 

truth,  and  the  whole  truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth,  as  he 
shall  answer  to  God  at  the  last  great  day.  And  all  who  are 
officially  connected  with  the  court,  such  as  the  judge,  the 
jury  and  the  lawyers  are  also  under  oath  to  search  after 
and  determine  what  is  the  truth,  and  to  render  a  just  deci- 
sion. But  how  often  this  oath  is  violated!  Repeat  the  pas- 
sage Prov.  17,  1.5.  "He  that  justifieth  the  wicked  and  he  that 
condemneth  the  just,  even  they  both  are  abomination  to  the 
Lord." 

50.  How  did  Pontius  Pilate  show  himself  to  be  this  kind  of  an  un- 

just Judge  in  the  trial  of  the  Savior  when  the  Jews  asked 
him  to  release  Barabbas  instead  of  Jesus?  Matt.  27,  20-26. 
He  condemned  the  innocent  Savior  and  released  the  guilty 
Barabbas. 

51.  Now  read  what  is  written  in  Dent.  1,  17.     "Ye  shall   not  respect 

persons  in  judgment;  but  ye  shall  hear  the  small  as  well  as 
the  great;  ye  shall  not  be  afraid  of  the  face  of  man;  for  the 
judgment  is  God's." 

52.  Read  also  what  is  written,  Ex.  23,  8.     "And  thou  shalt  take   no 

gift:  for  the  gift  blindeth  the  wise,  and  perverteth  the  words 
of  the  righteous." 


80 


LESSON    25. 


53.  When  a  person  accuses  another  falsely  in  court  he  sins  grossly 

against  this  commandment.  So  the  Jews  did  against  the 
Savior.  Read  Luke  23,  2.  "And  they  began  to  accuse  him, 
saying,  we  found  this  fellow  perverting  the  nation  and  for- 
bidding to  give  tribute  to  Caesar,  saying  that  he  himself  is 
Christ  a  king." 

54.  Christians  should  avoid  going  to  court  with  each  other  (1  Cor. 

6,  1-8).  They  should  settle  their  difficulties  among  them- 
selves. To  what  does  the  apostle  admonish  us  in  Rom.  12, 
18?  "If  it  be  possible,  as  much  as  lieth  in  you,  live  peace- 
ably with  all  men." 

55.  And  yet,  when  a  Christian  is  wrongfully  accused  he  may  ask  the 

protection  of  the  court,  as  we  see  from  the  example  of  St. 
Paul.  Acts  23,  12-17;  25,  11.  Read  the  latter  passage.  "For 
if  I  be  an  offender,  or  have  committed  anything  worthy  of 
death,  I  refuse  not  to  die:  but  if  there  is  none  of  these  things 
whereof  these  accuse  me,  no  man  may  deliver  me  unto  them. 
I  appeal  unto  Cesar." 

56.  But   when    a   man    is   guilty   he    should   not   deny   his   guilt.      So 

Joshua  admonished  Achan  in  Josh.  7,  19.  Read  the  passage. 
"And  Joshua  said  unto  Achan,  My  son,  give,  I  pray  thee, 
glory  to  the  Lord  God  of  Israel,  and  make  confession  unto 
him;  and  tell  me  now  what  thou  hast  done;  hide  it  not  from 
me." 

57.  When  a  case  is  on  trial  in  court,  what  is  the  duty  of  the  wit- 

nesses? Their  duty  is  to  tell  the  truth  and  the  whole  truth 
and    nothing   but  the   truth. 

58.  What  does  Prov.  19,  5,  say  of  a  false  witness?     "A  false  witness 

shall  not  be  unpunished;  and  he  that  speaketh  lies  shall  not 
escape." 

59.  As    instances   of   such    false    witnesses    we   might   mention   the 

wicked  men  who  testified  against  Naboth  (1  Kings  21,  13). 
And  the  false  witnesses  that  were  brought  in  against  Jesus 
(Matt.  26,  59-61).  As  also  the  witnesses  who  testified  against 
Stephen  (Acts  6,  13.  14).  What  were  all  these  wickqd  men 
guilty  of?     They  were  all  guilty  of  false  witness. 

60.  Read  the  passage  Ex.  23,  1.     "Thou  shait  not  raise  a  false  report: 

put  not  thine  hand  with  the  wicked  to  be  an  unrighteous 
witness." 

61.  No  one  should  have  a  hand   with   wicked   people,   to  help  them 

along  in  their  wickedness,  as  is  done  when  an  attorney  tries 
by  dishonest  means  to  protect  a  criminal  from  just  punish- 
ment, or  to  have  an  innocent  person  condemned.  Such  was 
the  case  when  the  Jews  brought  in  the  orator  or  attorney 
Tertullus  against  Paul.  Acts  24.  1-8. 


LESSON    25.      WHAT    IS    COMMANDED    IN    THE    EIGHTH 
COMMANDMENT. 

(Questions  95-97.) 

Repeat   the   eighth    commandment.     "Thou    shalt    not    bear   false 

witness  against  thy  neighbor." 
What  does  this  mean?     "We  should  fear  and   love  God,  that  we 

may    not    deceitfully    belie,    betray,    slander,    or    defame    our 

neighbor:    but  excuse   him,   speak  well    of   him    and   put  the 

best  construction  on  everything." 


LESSON    25. 


81 


3.  What  is  forbidden  in  tliis  commandment?     We  should  not  bear 

false  witness,  or  not  deceitfully  belie,  betray,  slander,  or  de- 
fame our  neighbor. 

4.  (95)     "What  is  enjoined  in  this  commandment?"     "That  we   ex- 

cuse our  neighbor,  speak  well  of  him  and  put  the  best  con- 
struction on  everything." 

5.  (96)     "When  is  this  done?"     "When  we  think  and  speak  well  of 

our  neighbor,  and  in  ail  things  strive  to  be  truthful." 

6.  What  should  we,  according  to  this  answer,  do  in  regard  to  our 

neighbor?     We  should  think  and  speak  well   of  him. 

7.  In  order  that  we  may  speal^  well  of  him,  what  must  we  first  do? 

We  must  first  think  well  of  him. 

8.  Yes,  for  what  should  our  words  express?     They  should   express 

our  thougths. 

9.  We  should  not  have  evil  but  good  thoughts  concerning  our  neigh- 

bor. That  is,  we  should  have  a  good  opinion  of  him.  Re- 
peat the  passage  Zech.  7,  10.  "Let  none  of  you  imagine  evil 
against  his  brother  in  your  heart." 

10.  To  think  well  of  a  man  is  to  consider  him  honest,  and  truthful. 

When  we  are  warned  against  imagining  evil  against  our 
brother  how  are  we  asked  to  regard  him?  We  should  re- 
gard  him  as  honest,   good,  truthful. 

11.  But  suppose  others  tell  us  the  opposite,  how  should  we  regard 

such  evil  reports?     We  should  not  believe  them. 

12.  It  is  just  as  bad  to  believe  a  false  report  as  to  start  or  repeat 

one.  How  long  should  we  regard  a  man  innocent  when  we 
hear  bad  reports  about  him?     Until   he  is  proven  guilty. 

13.  What  does  Luther  in  his  explanation  of  this  commandment  say 

we  should  do  in  regard  to  our  neighbor?  We  should  excuse 
him,  speak  well  of  him  and  put  the  best  construction  on 
everything. 

14.  What  is  the  first  thing  we  should  do?     We  should  excuse  him. 

15.  The  character  of  a  man's   actions  depends   a  great  deal   on   his 

motives.  When  Peter  denied  the  Savior  what  moved  him 
to  do  so?     He  was  frightened  into  it. 

16.  Yes,  it  was  ncjt  a -deliberate  act,  but  one  done  in  haste  and  under 

pressure.  But  when  .Tildas  betrayed  the  Savior,  from  what 
motive  did  he  act?     He  did  it  for  money. 

17.  Which  was  the  greater  sin?     The  sin  of  Judas. 

18.  Why  was  the  sin  of  .Judas  greater  than  that  of  Peter?     Because 

Peter  acted   in   haste  and  Judas  acted  deliberately. 

19.  What  then  could  we  say  as  an  excuse  for  Peter's  sin?     We  could 

say  that  he  acted   not  from  malice,  but  from  fear. 

20.  In  what  words  did  the  Savior  i)ray  for  his  enemies  on  the  cross? 

Luke  2?>,  34.  "Father  forgive  them,  for  they  know  not  what 
they  do." 

21.  What  excuse  did  .Tesus  bore  offer  for  the  sins   of  his  enemies? 

He  said  they    did  not  know  what  they  were  doing. 

22.  Repeat  the  passage  1    Cor.  13,  7.     "Charity  believeth   all   things, 

hopeth  all  things,  endureth  all  things." 

23.  This    means    that,    because    we    love    our    neighbor,    we    should 

always  believe  and  hope  the  best  concerning  him.  Which 
should  we  rather  believe  of  him.  good  or  evil?  We  should 
rather  believe  the  good, 

6 


82  LESSON   25. 

24.  What  else   should    we   do   besides    excusing   our   neighbor?     We 

should  speak  well  of  him. 

25.  Yes,  especially  when  others  speak  ill  of  him.     Now  read  1  Sam. 

19,  4.  "And  Jonathan  spake  good  of  David  unto  Saul  his 
father  and  said  unto  him,  Let  not  the  king  sin  against  his 
servant,  against  David;  because  he  hath  not  sinned  against 
thee,  and,  because  his  works  have  been  to  thee-ward  very 
good." 

26.  When  Saul  hated  David  and  determined  to  Itill  him,  who  was  it 

that  in  David's  absence  took  his  part  and  spoke  good  of  him? 
It  was  his  friend  Jonathan. 

27.  Read  what  Jonathan  said  of  his  friend,  1   Sam.  19,  5.     "For  he 

put  his  life  in  his  hand,  and  slew  the  Philistine,  and  the 
Lord  wrought  a  great  salvation  for  all  Israel:  thou  sawest 
it,  and  didst  rejoice:  wherefore  then  wilt  thou  sin  against 
innocent  blood,  to  slay  David  without  a  cause?" 

28.  Now  turn  to  1  Sam.  22.  13.  14,  and  tell  me  who  also  spoke  for 

David  and  took  his  part  before  the  wicked  king?  Ablmelech 
the  priest  spoke  well  of  David. 

29.  Yes,  and  he  did  it  at  the  cost  of  his  life.     Now  repeat  Prov.  31, 

8.  9.  "Open  thy  mouth  for  the  dumb  in  the  cause  of  all  such 
as  are  appointed  to  destruction.  Open  thy  mouth,  judge 
righteously,  and  plead  the  cause  of  the  poor  and  needy." 

30.  What  is  the  matter  with  the  dumb?     He  can  not  speak. 

31.  But  when  one  is  absent  while  others  speak  evil  of  him,  he  can 

not  speak  for  himself  either,  why?     Because  he  is  not  presenv. 

32.  Yes,  an  absent  one  is  in  the  same  position  as  one  that  is  dumb, 

because  he  can  not  lake  his  own  part.  What  are  we  asked 
to  do  for  those  who  can  not  speak  for  themselves?  We  are 
to  open  our  mouth  and  speak  for  them. 

33.  Now  repeat  the   passage  Matt.  18,   15-17.     "if  thy   brother  shall 

trespass  against  thee,  go  and  tell  him  his  fault  between  thee 
and  him  alone:  if  he  shall  hear  thee,  thou  hast  gained  thy 
brother.  But  if  he  will  not  hear  thee,  then  take  with  thee 
one  or  two  more,  that  in  the  mouth  of  two  or  three  wit- 
nesses every  word  may  be  established.*  And  if  he  shall  neg- 
lect to  hear  them,  tell  it  unto  the  church:  but  if  he  neglect 
to  hear  the  church,  let  him  be  unto  thee  as  a  heathen  man 
and  a  publican." 

34.  If  anyone  has  wronged  you,  to  whom  should  you  speak  about  it 

first  of  all?     To  him  who  has  wronged  me. 

35.  And  who  should   be  present  when  you   speak  to  him  about  his 

fault?  No  one,  I  should  tell  him  of  his  fault  between  me  and 
him  alone. 

36.  The  Savior  says:      "If  he  shall  hear  thee  thou  hast  gained  thy 

brother."  He  means  you  should  rejoice  over  the*  fact  that 
your  brother  has  been  gained;  you  should  forgive  him  and 
say  no  more  about  it.  But  in  case  he  will  not  hear  you  what 
should  you  do  next?  We  should  take  one  or  two  with  us  as 
witnesses. 

37.  Yes,  we  should  not  make  the  matter  public  yet,  but  speak  to  him 

again  in  the  presence  of  a  few  friends.  If  he  hear  you  and 
acknowledge  his  fault,  what  should  you  do?  i  should  for- 
give him. 

38.  Yes,  and  bury  the  matter.     But  if  he  neglect  to  hear  them,  what 

should  you  do?     Tell  it  to  the  church. 


L£gso>J  ^5.  S3 


S9 .  That  is,  make  it  public,  in  order  that  the  whole  church  may 
admonish  the  erring  brother.  If  he  repent,  what  should  the 
church   do?     He   should    be   forgiven. 

40.  But  if  he  neglect  to  hear  even  the  church,  how  should  we  regard 
such  a  wicked  person?  The  Savior  says:  "Let  him  be  unto 
thee  as  a  heathen  man  and  a  publican." 

"The  Catechism  tells  us  we  should  "put  the  best  construction 
on  every  thing."  That  is,  so  long  as  it  is  possible  we  must 
consider  a  man  innocent,  and  even  when  he  is  guilty  of  a 
fault,  we  must  not  consider  his  case  hopeless  until  every 
possible  effort  has  been  made  to  gain  him.  Question  96  tells 
us  we  should  think  and  speak  well  of  out  neighbor,  and  what 
else  should  we  do?  We  should  in  all  things  strive  to  be 
truthful. 

42.  Under  Question  93  we  learned  the  passage  Eph.  4,  25.     Repeat  it 

again.  "Wherefore  putting  away  lying,  speak  every  man 
truth  with  his  neighbor:  for  we  are  members  one  of  an- 
other." 

43.  What  should   every  man  speak  with   his   neighbor?     Every   man 

should   speak  truth  with   his   neighbor. 

44.  What  does  the  apostle  urge  as  a  reason  why  every  man  should 

speak  truth  with  his  neighbor?  "For  we  are  members  one 
of  another." 

45.  When  the  hand  comes  in  contact  with  a  hot  stove  it  does  not 

deceive  the  body,  but  what  message  does  it  give?  it  tells 
the  body  that  the  stove  is  hot. 

46.  W(hen  the  eye  sees  a  white  wall  what  does  it  report?     It  says 

the  wall  is  white. 

47.  Yes,  the  members  of  the  body  are  truthful  and  so  should  we  be 

truthful  to  each  other  for  we  are  members  one  of  another. 
What  does  the  Savior  say,  Matt.  5,  37?  "Let  your  commu- 
nication be,  Yea,  yea;  Nay,  nay:  for  whatsoever  is  more 
than  these  cometh  of  evil." 

48.  The  Savior  means:   when  you  say  yes,  it  ought  to  be  yes;    and 

when  you  say  no,  it  ought  to  be  no.  A  man  should  be  as 
good  as  his  word.  What  kind  of  people  are  they  upon  whose 
word  you  can  depend?     They  are  truthful  people. 

49 .  Read  what  is  written,  Prov.  2.  7,  in  the  latter  half  of  the  verse. 

"He  is  a  buckler  to  them  that  walk  uprightly." 

50.  That  is  God  will  protect  those  that  speak  the  truth.     Now  read 

1  Peter  2.  21-23.  "For  even  hereunto  were  ye  called:  be- 
cause Christ  also  suffered  for  us,  leaving  us  an  example, 
that  we  should  follow  his  steps:  Who  did  no  sin,  neither 
was  guile  found  in  his  mouth:  Who,  when  he  was  reviled, 
reviled  not  again;  when  he  suffered  he  threatened  not;  but 
committed    himself  to   him  that  judgeth   righteously." 

51.  The  apostle  here  tells  us  to  follow  the  example  of  Christ.     What 

did  Christ  do  when  he  was  reviled,  that  is  scoffed  and  slan- 
dered?    He   reviled   not  again. 

52.  What  is  said  of  his  mouth,  that  is,  his  language?     "Neither  was 

guile  found  in  his  mouth." 

53.  That  is  he  never  spoke  to  deceive.     He  spoke  the  truth  under  all 

circumstances.  He  would  rather  die  than  lie.  And  what 
does  the  apostle  say  of  this  example  of  the  Savior?  He  says 
we  should  follow  his  steps. 


84  Lesson  26. 

54.  (97)     "What  is  tlie  penalty  of  this  commandment?"     "Lying  lips 

are  abomination  unto  the  Lord"  (Prov,  12,  22).  "Tliou  shalt 
destroy  them  that  speak  leasing  (lies):  the  Lord  will  abhor 
the  bloody  and  deceitful  man."     Ps.  5,  6. 

55.  How  does  God  regard  lying  lips?     They  are  abomination  to  him. 

56.  That  is,  he  can't  bear  Iheni,  he  hates  them.     And  what  will  he 

do  with  them  that  speak  lies?     He  will  destroy  them. 

57.  What  kind -of  man  does   God   abhor,   that  is,  hate?     He   abhors 

the  bloody  and  deceitful  man. 

58.  Who  is  the  bloody  man?     The  murderer. 

59.  And  who  is  the  deceitful  man?     The  liar. 

60.  Then  what  two  kinds  of  men  does  God  put  on  the  same  level' 

.The  murderer  and  the  liar. 


LESSON    26.      WHAT    IS    FORBIDDEN    IN    THE    NINTH 
COMMANDMENT. 

(Questions  98-101.) 

1.  (98)     "Which    is    the    ninth    commandment?"     "Thou    shalt    not 

covet  thy  neighbor's  house." 

2.  (99)     "What  does  this  mean?"     "We  should  fear  and   love  God, 

that  we  may  not  craftily  seek  to  get  our  neighbor's  inher- 
itance or  house,  nor  obtain  it  by  a  show  of  right;  but  help 
and  be  of  service  to  him   in  keeping  it." 

3.  (100)     "What  is  forbidden  in  this  commandmeni  ?"     "We  should 

not  covet  our  neighbor's  house;  or  not  craftily  seek  to  get 
our  neighbor's  inheritance  or  house,  nor  obtain  it  by  a  show 
of  right." 

4.  Repeat  the  tenth  commandment.     Question  ]()4.     "Thou  shalt  not 

covet  thy  neighbor's  wife,  nor  his  man-servant,  nor  his  maid- 
servant, nor  his  ox,  nor  his  ass,  or  anything  that  is  thy  neigh- 
bor's." 

5.  These  two  commandments  begin  with  the  same  words.      How  do 

they  both  begin?     "Thou  shalt  not  covet." 

6.  To  covet  means  to  desire',  to  lon2;-for.     Turn  to  and  read  1  Cor. 

12,  31.     "But  covet  eirnestly   the   best   gifts." 

7.  What  are  Christians  to  ccvet?     They  are  to  covet  the  best  gifts. 

8.  What  does  this  mean?     They  are  to  desire  or  long  for  the  best 

gifts. 

9.  Read  what  is  written  Ps.  119,  40. "Behold,  I   have  longed  after  thy 

precepts." 

10.  Such  longing  is  not  wrong.     What  does  the  Savior  say,  L<uke  10, 

24?  "For  I  tell  you,  that  many  prophets  and  kings  have  de- 
sired to  see  those  things  which  ye  see,  and  have  not  seen 
them,  and  to  hear  those  things  which  ye  hear,  and  have  not 
heard  them." 

11.  The  apostles  heard  the  Savior's  preaching  and  saw  his  miracles, 

and  what  desire  had  the  prophets  and  kings  of  old?  They 
desired  to  see  and  hear  the  Savior. 

12.  Yes,  and  there  was  nothing  wrong  about  this  desire.     But  not  all 

longing  is  right,  not  all  desires  are  good.  When  God  here 
says:  thou  shalt  not  covet,  what  kind  of  desires  are  for- 
bidden?    Evil  desires  are  forbidden. 


LKSSON   26.  85 

13.  Read  what  is  written,  1  Sam.  16,  7,  in  the  latter  part  of  the  verse. 

"For  the  Lord  seeth  not  as  man  seeth;  for  man  looketh  on 
the  outward  appearance,  but  the  Lord  looketh  on  the  heart." 

14.  What  do  men  look  upon?     They  look  upon  the  outward  appear- 

ance. 

15.  When  God  says:    Thou  shalt  not  steal,  men  are  apt  to  think  that 

if  they  do  not  outwardly  take  their  neighbor's  money  or 
goods,  this  is  all  that  God  requires.  But  what  are  we  told  in 
the  passage  you  have  just  read?  "The  Lord  looketh  upon 
the  heart." 

16.  What  does  God  see  in  our  hearts  even  before  they  are  expressed 

in  words  and  actions?     He  sees  our  thoughts. 

17.  Yes,  even   our  thoughts  and   desires   should   not   be  contrary   to 

God's  holy  will.  And  how  should  we  regard  such  thoughts 
and  desires  that  are  contrary  to  God's  will  and  word?  We 
should  regard  them  as  sinful. 

18.  In  order  that  he  might  impress  this  important  truth  God  has  not 

only  said  in  the  seventh  commandment:  Thou  shalt  not 
steal,  but  what  has  he  said  in  the  ninth  commandment? 
"Thou  shalt  not  cover  thy  neighbor's  house." 

19.  Yes,  and  he  not  only  said  in  the  sixth  commandment:  Thou  shalt 

not  commit  adultery,  but  what  has  he  said  in  the  first  part 
of  the  tenth  commandment?  "Thou  shalt  not  covet  thy 
neighbor's  wife." 

20.  What  should  we  not  covet  according  to  the  ninth  commandment? 

We  should  not  covet  our  neighbor's  house. 

21.  (101)     "What  does  this  mean?"   "We  are  not  to  seek  or  even  wish 

to  bring  our  neighbor's  inheritance  or  house  into  our  posses- 
sion in  an  unrighteous  manner." 

22.  To  covet  here  means  wrongfully  to  desire  or  seek  to  get.     The 

word  "covet"  is  what  part  of  speech?     It  is  a  verb. 

23.  Give  me  the  noun  that  corresponds  with  the  verb  covet.     Covet- 

ousness. 

24.  This  means  the  desire  to  get  and  to  hold.     What  do  we  call  a 

covetous  man?     We  call  him  a  miser. 

25.  How  does  the  prophet,   Isa.    5,    8,   describe  such   people?     "Woe 

unto  them  that  join  house  to  house,  that  lay  field  to  field, 
till  there  be  no  place,  that  they  may  be  placed  alone  in  the 
midst  of  the  earth." 

26.  What  does   the   prophet  say  of  such   greedy   people?     He   says: 

"Woe  unto  them." 

27 .  Yes,  the  curse  of  God  rests  on  those,  who  never  can  get  enough 

and  are  always  striving  after  more.  Such  were  the  Scribes 
and  Pharisees  of  Christ's  time.  What  does  the  Savior  say 
to  them.  Matt.  2.3,  14?  "Woe  unto  you,  Scribes  and  Phari- 
sees, hypocrites!  for  ye  devour  widows'  houses:  therefore 
ye  shall   receive  the  greater  damnation." 

28.  What  does  he  mean   by   saying:     "Ye   devour  widows'   houses?" 

They  robbed  widows  of  their  houses. 

29.  Yes,    they    were    like    hungry    wolves.     They    never    could    get 

enough.  By  all  kinds  of  hooks  and  crooks  they  cheated  the 
poor  widows  out  of  their  property,  and  yet  what  did  they 
make  for  a  pretext?     For  a  pretext  they  made  long  prayers. 

30.  In  spite  of  their  avarice  and  fraud  what  appearance  did  they  put 

on?     They  put  on  the  appearance  of  great  piety. 


86  Lesson  26. 

31.  What  are  such  people  who  outwardly  keep  the  law  and  in  their 

hearts  break  it?     Such   people  are  hypocrites. 

32.  And  what  does   the   Savior  say  will  be  the  end  of  these  hypo- 

cries?  "Therefore  ye  shall  receive  the  greater  damna- 
tion." 

33.  Now  repeat  the  passage,  1  Tim.  6,  6-10.     "But  godliness  with  con- 

tentment is  great  gain.  For  we  brought  nothing  into  the 
world,, and  it  is  certain  we  can  carry  nothing  out.  And  hav- 
ing food  and  raiment,  let  us  therewith  be  content.  But  they 
that  will  be  rich  fall  into  temptation  and  a  snare,  and  into 
many  foolish  and  hurtful  lusts,  which  drown  men  in  de- 
struction and  perdition.  For  the  love  of  money  is  the  root 
of  all  evil;  which  while  some  coveted  after,  they  have  erred 
from  the  faith,  and  pierced  themselves  through  with  many 
sorrows." 

34.  What  is  here  said  of  those  who  would  be  rich?     "They  fall  into 

temptation  and  a  snare,  and  many  foolish  and  hurtful  lusts, 
which  drown   men   in   destruction   and  perdition." 

35.  And  what  is   further  said  of  the  love   of  money?     The    love   of 

money  is  the  root  of  all  evil. 

36.  Judas  is  a  good  illustration  of  this.     What  position  did  he  hold 

in  the  little  company  of  Christ  and  his  apostles?  He  was 
the  treasurer. 

37.  He  not  only  handled  the  money,  but  what  was  his  disposition  in 

money  matters?     He  was  a  miser  and  a  thief. 

38.  Yes,  he  loved  money.     And  what  did  his  love  of  money  lead  him 

to  do?     It  lead  him  to  betray  his   Master. 

39.  How  much   did   he  get  for   betraying  the   Lord?     He   got  thirty 

pieces  of  silver. 

40.  So  men  will  lie  and  steal,  and  kill  and  do  every  evil  for  money. 

But  how  do  these  evil  lusts  finally  end?  They  drown  men 
in   destruction   and   perdition. 

41.  Yes,    such   people    err   from    the   faith    and    are   lost.     Read    also 

what  is  written  Prov.  28,  20.  "A  faithful  man  shall  abound 
with  blessings;  but  he  that  maketh  haste  to  be  rich  shall 
not  be   innocent." 

42.  In  1  Kings,"~chapler  21,  we  have  recorded  the  story  of  King  Ahab 

and  Naboth's  vineyard.  Let  us  look  at  it  a  moment.  When 
King  Ahab  offered  to  buy  the  vineyard  of  Naboth,  what  did 
the  latter  answer?  Verse  3.  "And  Naboth  said  to  Ahab, 
The  Lord  forbid  me,  that  I  should  give  the  inheritance  of  my 
fathers  unto  thee." 

43.  Why  did  Naboth  prize  the  vineyard  so  highly,  and  refuse  to  sell 

it?     Because  he  had  inherited  it  from  his  fathers. 

44.  Ahab  was   disappointed  and   angry   and   talked   the  matter   over 

with  his  wicked  wife  Jezebel.  She  now  arranged  to  get  the 
vineyard  for  the  King  by  fraud.  How  she  did  it  we  are  told 
in  verse  10.  What  did  she  command  the  elders  to  do? 
"And  set  two  men,  sons  of  Belial,  before  him,  to  bear  wit- 
ness against  him,  saying,  thou  didst  blaspheme  God  and  the 
King.  And  then  carry  him  out  and  stone  him,  that  he  may 
die." 

45.  This  wicked  plot  was  carried  out,  and  after  the  murder  of  Na- 

both, his  property  fell  to  the  King.  When  Ahab  could  not 
honestly  get  what  he  wanted  how  did  his  wife  go  about  to 
get  it?     She  got  it  dishonestly,  by  fraud. 


LESSON    27.  87 

46.  And  what  did  Jezebel  do  in  order  that  the  whole  detestible  fraud 

might   have  the   appearance   of  right?  She    hired    two   false 

witnesses  to  testify  that  Naboth  had  blasphemed  God  and 
the  King. 

47.  She  sought  craftily  to  get  her  neighbor's  inheritance  or  house. 

Craft  is  shrewdness  or  trickery.  So  Jacob  and  his  mother 
by  a  trick  defrauded  his  brother  Esau  out  of  his  birthright 
and  the  blessing  which  his  father  intended  for  him  as  the 
first-born.  Which  of  his  two  sons  did  Isaac  intend  to  bless 
and  establish  as  the  chief  heir?     His  first  born  son  Esau. 

48.  Which,  however,  received  the  blessing?     The  younger  son  Jacob. 

49.  What  deception  was  practised  on  Isaac  wlio  in  his  old  age  had 

lost  his  eye  sight?  He  was  made  to  believe  that  Jacob  was 
Esau. 

50.  So  how  did  Jacob  get  the  inheritance?     He  got   it  craftily,  by  a 

trick. 

51.  And  what  was  the  relation  between  the  brothers  on  account  of 

this  fraud?  Esau  hated  his  brother,  and  intended  to  kill 
him. 

52.  And  what  did  Jacob  do  to  save  himself?     He  fled  for  his  life  to 

his  uncle  Laban. 

53.  This    was    a   punishment  for   the   fraud    of   which    he    had    been 

guilty,  and  when  his  uncle  Laban  afterwards  cheated  him 
out  of  his  just  wages  of  what  should  this  unjust  treatment 
have  reminded  him?  It  should  have  reminded  him  of  his 
own  sin  against  his  brother. 


LESSON   27.     WHAT   IS   COMMANDED   IN   THE    NINTH 
COMMANDMENT. 

(Questions  102-103.) 

1.  Repeat    the    ninth    commandment.      "Thou    shalt    not    covet    thy 

neighbor's  house." 

2.  W^hat  does  this  mean?     "We  should  fear  and    love   God  that  we 

may  not  craftily  seek  to  get  our  neighbor's  inheritance  or 
house,  nor  obtain  it  by  a  show  of  right;  but  help  and  be  of 
service  to  him  in  keeping  it." 

3.  What  is  forbidden  in  this  commandment?     We  should  not  covet 

our  neighbor's  house,  or  not  craftily  seek  to  get  our  neigh- 
bor's   inheritance   or   house. 

4.  This    commandment    deals    with    our    neighbor's    inheritance    or 

house,  that  is  with  his  earthly  possessions.  We  have  seen 
in  the  last  lesson  that  we  should  not  covet  what  is  our 
neighbors.  We  should  not  be  covetous,  that  is  greedy  of 
gain.  Now  to-day  we  will  deal  with  the  opposite  disposition. 
What  do  you  say  of  a  man  who  is  not  greedy  for  more?  He 
is  satisfied  with  what  he  has. 

5.  Can  you  give  me  another  word  for  this  being  satisfied  with  what 

one  has?     The  word  contentment. 

6.  This  disposition  is  spoken  of  in  the  first  sentence  of  the  passage 

1  Tim.  6,  6-10.  Repeat  it.  "But  godliness  with  contentment 
is  great  gain." 


88  LESSON    27. 

7.  What   are   godliness    with    contentment    here    called?     They    are 

called  great  gain. 

8.  Naturally  men  want   to  gain.     What  are   most  men   anxious   to 

gain?     They  are  anxious  to  gain  wealth.     - 

9.  Yes,  because  they  imagine  wealth  makes  men  happy.     But  this 

is  a  great  mistake,  as  we  see  from  Eccles.  5,  10.  Read  the 
passage.  "He  that  loveth  silver  shall  not  be  satisfied  with 
silver;  nor  he  that  loveth  abundance  with  increase:  this  also 
is  vanity." 

10.  What  is  the  great  gain  spoken  of  in  1  Tim.  6,  6?     Godliness  with 

contentment. 

11.  If  a  man  is  godly,  that  is  if  he  fears,  loves  and  trusts  in  God, 

and  is  content  with  what  God  gives  him,  he  is  happy.  Hap- 
piness does  not  depend  on  the  amount  of  this  world's  goods 
that  we  possess,  but  rather  upon  what  does  it  depend?  It 
depends  on  our  being  content  with  what  we  have. 

12.  So  the  apostle  also  admonishes  us,  Heb.  lo,     5.     Read  the  pas- 

sage. "Let  your  conversation  be  without  covetousness;  and 
be  content  with  such  things  as  ye  have:  for  he  hath  said,  I 
will   never  leave  thee  nor  forsake  thee." 

1.3.     What  does  the  apostle  warn  against  in  the  first  part  of  this  pas- 
sage?    He  warns  against  covetousness. 

,14.     And  what  does  he  urge  upon  us  in  the  second  part?     To  be  con- 
tent with  such   things  as  we  have. 

15.  Then,  in  the  last  clause,  he  gives  the  reason  why  we  should  be 

content.  What  is  it?  Because  God  has  said:  I  will  never 
leave  thee  nor  forsake  thee. 

16.  In  the  passage  which  you  repeated  a  l)it  ago.  1  Tim.  6,  6,  there 

is  another  reason  given  why  we  should  be  content.  What  is 
it?  "For  we  brought  nothing  into  this  world,  and  it  is  cer- 
tain we  can  carry  nothing  out." 

17.  What  did  we  bring  Avith  us  when  we  came  into  the  world?     We 

brought  riothing  with  us. 

18.  And  what  shall  we  take  with  us   wlien   we  .l^o  out  of  tlie  world? 

We  will  take  nothing  with  us. 

19.  How  foolish  then   to  worry  and   fret  over  the  things   which   we 

have  only  the  few  years  that  we  live  in  this  world.  Wherein 
did  Lazarus  and  the  rich  man  differ  duiing  their  life  in  this 
world?     The  one  was  poor  and  the  other  was  rich. 

20.  But  what  happened  to  both  of  them?     They  both  died. 

21 .  And  how  much  of  his  possessions  did  the  rich  man  take  with  him 

when  he  died?     He  took  nothing  with  him. 

22.  What  difference  was  there,  with  reference  to  earthly  possessions, 

between  him  and  Lazarus  when  they  came  to  die?  There 
was  no   difference. 

23.  Twice  in  this  world  all  men  are  alike  as  far  as  earthly  posses- 

sions are  concerned.  Can  you  tell  me  when?  When  they 
are  born  and  when  they  die. 

24.  We  have  seen  that  we  should  be  content.     Wherewith  should  we 

be  content?  "Having  food  and  raiment  let  us  therewith  be 
content." 


LESSON    27. 


89 


25.  Pood,  clothing  and  shelter,   though   of  the   simplest  kind,   is   all 

that  we  need.  And  when  God  in  his  mercy  provides  these 
we  should  be  content  and  thankful.  The  Savior  himself  is 
the  very  best  example  of  such  contentment.  What  can  you 
say  of  him,  as  far  as  worldly  possessions  are  concerned? 
He  was  poor. 

26.  Yes,  read   what  is  written   Matt.  8,   20.     "The   foxes   have    holes 

and  the  birds  of  the  air  have  nests;  but  the  Son  of  man 
hath  not  where  to  lay   his  head." 

27.  Read  what  is  written  of  the  Savior,  1  Cor.  8,  9.     "For  ye   know 

the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that,  though  he  was  rich, 
yet  for  your  sakes  he  became  poor,  that  ye  through  his  pov- 
erty  might  be   rich." 

28.  The   Savior    was    poor,    not    from    necessity,    but    from   choice. 

He  never  complained  of  his  poverty.  He  was  content  to 
live  from  hand  to  mouth.  What  should  we  learn  from  his 
example?     We  should  learn  to  be  content, 

29.  When    he    fed    the    multitude,    he    provided    a    very    plain    meal. 

What  did  he  feed  them  with?  He  gave  them  barley  bread 
and  fish. 

30.  And  this  plain  food  was  what  he  ate  himself  and  with  which  he 

was  satisfied,  though  he  was  the  very  Son  of  God.  What 
should  we  learn  from  his  example?  We  should  learn  to  be 
satisfied  with   plain  living. 

31.  And  before  he  gave  the  bread  and  fish  to  the  multitude  what  did 

he  do?     John  6,  11.     He  gave  thanks. 

32.  So  we  should  not  only  be  satisfied  with  what  God  gives  us  but 

what  other  lesson  may  we  learn  from  the  example  of  the 
Savior?     We  should  be  thankful   to  God  for  his  blessings. 

33.  When  Abraham  was  called  by  God  to  leave  his  native  land  and 

go  to  a  country  that  God  would  show  him,  who  went  with 
him?     Gen.    12,    4.     Lot    went   with    him. 

34.  When  pasture  became  scarce  and  there  began  to  be  strife  be- 

tween their  servants  how  did  Abraham  propose  to  put  an 
end  to  the  strife?  Read  Gen.  13,  8.  9.  "And  Abraham  said 
unto  Lot,  Let  there  be  no  strife,  I  pray  thee,  between  me  and 
thee  and  between  my  herdmen  and  thy  herdmen:  for  we  are 
brethren.  Is  not  the  whole  land  before  thee?  Separate  thy- 
self, i  pray  thee,  from  me:  if  thou  wilt  take  the  left  hand 
then  I  will  go  to  the  right;  or  if  thou  depart  to  the  right 
hand,  then  I  will  go  to  the  left." 
3.5.  Abraham  was  willing  to  give  his  nephew  the  choice.  He  was  not 
determined  to  look  out  simply  for  his  own  interest.  He  was 
not  anxious  to  get  rich.  How  did  he  show  this?  He  gave 
Lot  the  choice  of  the  land  and  was  willing  .to  take  what  was 
left. 

36.  Abraham  also  showed  this  disposition  on  another  occasion.  His 
nephew  Lot  had  been  taken  captive.  Abraham  in  company 
with  several  princes  pursued  the  enemies  and  delivered  Lot. 
As  was  the  custom  in  war,  there  was  much  booty  taken. 
The  king  of  Sodom  now  proposed  that  Abraham  should  take 
these  goods.  Read  what  Abraham  answered.  Gen.  14,  22.  23. 
"Abraham  said  to  the  king  of  Sodom,  I  have  lifted  up  mine 
hand  unto  the  Lord,  the  most  high  God,  the  possessor  of 
heaven  and  earth,  that  I  will  not  take  anything  that  is  thine, 
lest  thou  shouldst  say,  I  have  made  Abraham  rich." 


90  LESSON    28. 

37.  Here  was  a  chance  for  Abraham  to  get  great  wealth  but  what 

did   he   do?      He   refused   to   take   anything. 

38.  He  had  not  undertaken  the  war  to  get  rich  but  (or  what  purpose? 

To  deliver  his  nephew  from  captivity. 

39.  Yes,  and  he  was  content  when  he  had  accomplished  this.     What 

was   he   not   anxious    for?     He   was    not    anxious   for    money 
and  goods. 

40.  (102)     "What  is  enjoined,  in  this  commandment?"   "That  we  help 

and  be  of  service  to  our  neighbor  in   keeping  his  inheritance 
or  house." 

41.  (103)      "When  is  this  done?"     "When  we  are  heartily  pleased  at 

our  neighbor's  prosperity,  and  seek  to  ward  off  from  him  all 
losses,  just  as  we  would  from  ourselves." 

42.  What  should  we  heartily  be  pleased  with?     We  should  be  heart- 

ily  pleased  with   our   neighbor's   prosperity. 

43.  When    things    go    well    with    our   neighbor    how    should    we   feel 

about  it?     We  should  be  pleased. 

44.  And  what  should  we  seek  to  ward  off  from  our  neighbor?     We 

should  seek  to  ward  off  from  him  all  losses. 

45.  When   our  own   property  or  goods   are   in   danger   what   are  we 

anxious  to  guard  against?     We  are  anxious  to  guard  against 
loss. 

46.  And  just  so  should  we  feel  about  our  neighbor's  property.     For 

how    should    we    love    our    neighbor?     We    should    love    our 
neighbor  as  ourselves. 

47.  Repeat  the  passage,  Phil.  2,  4.     "Look  not  every  man  on  his  own 

things,  but  every  man  also  on  the  things  of  others." 

48.  That  means,  we  should  not  simply  be  concerned  about  out  own 

welfare   but   what   should   we   also   take   an   interest   in?     In 
the  welfare  of  others. 

49.  How  did  Abraham  show  this  disposition  in  his  dealings  with  his 

nephew  Lot?      He  gave  him  the  choice  of  the  land. 

50.  Yes,  he  looked  not  simply  to  his  own  things,  for  if  he  had  done 

so  how  would  he  have  shown  it?     He  would  have  taken  the 
best  land  himself. 

51.  The  fact  that  he  gave  Lot  the  choice  of  iVe  land  showed  what 

disposition   toward   him?     It   showed   that   he   was   interested 
in   Lot's  welfare. 

52.  Repeat  the  passage  Gal.  5,  13.     "By  love  serve  one  another." 

53.  God  wants  us  to  love  one  another.     And  what  should  this  love 

prompt  us  to  do?     It  should  prompt  us  to  serve  one  another. 

54.  How   should   we  help   and   be  of   service   to   our  neighbor?     We 

should    help  and   be  of  service  to   him   in   keeping   his   inher- 
itance or  house. 


LESSON    28.      WHAT    IS    FORBIDDEN     IN    THE    TENTH 
COMMANDMENT. 

(Questions    104-107.) 

C104)  "Which  is  the  tenth  commandment?"  "Thou  shalt  not 
covet  thy  neighbor's  wife,  nor  his  man-servant,  nor  his  maid- 
servant, nor  his  ox,  nor  his  ass,  or  anything  that  is  thy 
neighbor's." 


LESSON    28.  *  91 

2.  (105)      '  vVhat  clOt^s  iliit,  mean""     "We  should  fear  and   love  God 

mat  we  may  not  estrange,  force  or  entice  away  from  our 
neighbor  his  wife,  servants,  or  cattle;  but  urge  them  to  stay 
and  do  their  duty." 

3.  (106)     "What  is  forbidden  in  this  commandment?"     "We  should 

not   covet  our  neighbor's   wite,   nor   his   man-servant,   nor   his 
maid-servant,  nor   his  cattle,   nor  anything  that   is  our  neigh- 
bor's;  or  not  estrange,  force  or  entice  away  from  our  neigh 
bor  his  wife,  servants  or  cattle." 

4.  Which  word  occurs  in  both  the  ninth  and  tenth  commandment? 

The  word  covet. 

5.  Give  me  another  word  for  this  word  "covet."    The  word  "desire." 

6.  A  desire  may  be  good  or  bad.     What  kind  of  desires  are  forbid- 

den in  these  two  commandments?  Evil  desires  are  here  for- 
bidden. 

7.  In   the   ninth   commandment   we  are   forbidden   to  have   evil   de- 

sires against  onr  neighbor's  house.  What  kind  of  evil  de- 
sires are  forbidden  first  of  all  in  this  tenth  commandment? 
Evil  desires  against  our  neighbor's  wife. 

8.  When   husband   and   wife   agree   to   live   together  in   matrimony, 

what   do   they   promise    each    other?     They    promise   to    love 
each  other. 

9.  Yes,  and   to  keep  to  each   other  throughout  life.     When   a  man 

covets  or  has  evil  desires  against  his  neighbor's  wife,  he 
wishes  that  she  love,  not  her  hus])and,  but  whom?  He 
wishes  that  she  love  him  instead  of  her  husband. 

10.  He  desires  to  estrange  her  from  her  husband,  that  is,  he  tries  to 

get  her  to  treat  her  husband  like  she  would  treat  whom? 
Like  she  would  treat  a  stranger. 

11.  Read  what  is  written,  (xen.  2,  24.     "Therefore  shall  a  man   leave 

his  father  and  his  mother,  and  shall  cleave  unto  his  wife; 
and  they  shall  be  one  flesh." 

12.  Here  we  are  told  that  a  husband  shall  clenve,  that  is,  cli!::^  to. 

his  wife.  And  what  would  you  say  of  a  wife?  She  shai! 
cling  to   her  husband. 

13.  How  shall  husband  and  wife  be  regarded  according  to  the  last 

clause  in   this   verse?     They   are   one   flesh. 

14.  They  are  one.     They  belong  to  each  other  for  life.     Now  when  a 

man  covets  his  neighbor's  wife,  or  a  woman  covets  her 
i.^eighbor's  husband,  how  do  they  desire  to  interfere  with  this 
re.'ation?     They  wish  to  separate  husband  and  wife. 

15.  Yes,   th;y   wish   to   put   asunder   what   God    has   joined   together. 

What  do  the  scriptures  say  of  such  separation?  Mark  10,  9. 
"What  therefor  God  hath  joined  together,  let  no  rnan  put 
asunder." 

16.  An  example  of  such  sinful  desire  to  separate  husband  and  wife 

we  have  in  King  Herod.  What  did  .John  the  Baptist  rebuke 
Herod  for?  Read  Mark  (\,  17.  18.  "For  Herod  himself  had 
sent  forth  and  laid  hold  upon  John,  and  bound  him  in  prison 
for  Herodias'  sake,  his  brother  Philip's  wife;  for  he  had 
married  her.  For  John  had  said  unto  Herod,  it  is  not  lawful 
for  thee  to   have  thy  brother's  wife." 

17.  Yes,  Herod  had  coveted  his  brother's  wife  and  enticed  her  away 

from  him.  Another  case  of  siich  wicked  coveting  is  that  of 
David  against  the  wife  of  T'riali.  Against  which  command- 
ment did  David  sin  when  he  coveted  and  took  I  lie  wife  of 
l^riah?     Against  this  tenth  commandment. 


92  LESSON    28. 

18.  Yes,  and   the   Lord   severely  yiiuished    King   David    for  1  his   sin. 

But  what  else  does  the  tenth  commandment  forbiu  us  to 
covet  besides  our  neighbor's  wife?  We  should  not  covet  his 
servants. 

19.  Who   are   a   man's   servants?     People   whom    he    hires    to    do    his 

work. 

20.  What   kind   of   servants   do   men   like?     They    like    good,   faithful 

servants. 

21.  Yes,  and  a  good  faithful  servant  is  very  valuable.     When  a  man 

or  woman  hire  themselves  out  what  is  expected  of  them? 
That  they  do  their  work  faithfully  and  well. 

22.  What  does  the  prophet  say  of  servants,  Mai.  1,  6?     "A  son  hon- 

oreth   his  father  and  a  servant  his  master." 

23.  Servants  should  love,  honor  and  obey  their  masters.     Now  when 

a  man  covets  his  neighbor's  servants  what  does  he  entice 
them  to  cease  doing?  He  tries  to  get  them  not  to  love,  hon- 
or and  obey  their  masters. 

24.  And  when  a  man   thus   tries  to  estrange  and  entice  away  from 

his  neighbor  his  servants,  why  does  he  do  th  3?  Because 
he  wants  them  himself." 

25.  He   does   this   by  running   down   his   neighbor,   discouraging  the 

servants,  offering  them  more  wages  and  the  like.  How  does 
all  this  affect  a  man's  neighbor?     It  injures  him. 

26.  The  tenth  commandment  forbids  us  to  covet  not  only  our  neign 

bor's  wife  and  servants  but  what  else?     Also  his  cattle. 

27.  What  kind  of  animals  do  we  call  horses,  cows,  mules,  sheep  anr* 

the  like?     We  call  them  domestic  animals. 

28.  Of  what  use   are   these   domestic   animals   to   us?     We   use   them 

for  food,  clothing,  and  work. 

29.  They  are  very  valuable  on  that  account.     If  a  man  h;is  a  good 

horse  or  cow  he  prizes  it  very  highly,  and  to  lose  it  would 
be  a  misfortune.  If  we  are  in  need  of  such  animalr  how 
may  we  get  them?     We   may   buy  them. 

30.  Yes,  and  pay  what  they  are  honestly  worth.     But  when  the  tenth 

commandment  says:  "Thou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbor's 
cattle,"  it  means,  Thou  shalt  not  desire  to  get  them  dishon 
estly.  What  do  we  call  such  dishonest  dealing?  We  call  it 
cheating. 

31.  And  the  very  desire  to  do  this  is  sin.     For  God  judgeth  not  sim- 

ply our  words  and  actions,  but  what  does  He  regard  and  judge" 
He   judges   our  thoughts   and   desires. 

32.  7his  we  see  from  1   Sam.  16,  7,  the  last  clause.     "For  the  Lord 

seeth  not  as  man  seeth,  for  man  looketh  on  the  outward 
appearance,   but  the    Lord   looketh   on   the   heart." 

33.  (107)     "When    do    we    transgress   this    commandment?"     "When 

we  have  even  the  least  evil  desire  in  our  hearts  for  that 
which   is  our  neighbor's." 

34.  What  does  this  answer  speak  of?     Of  evil  desire. 

35.  Evil  is  that  which  is  against  God's  will,  then  what  are  evil  de 

sires?     Desires  that  are   against  God's  will. 

36.  Where  do  we  find  such  evil  desires?     We  find  them  in  our  hearts. 

37.  Yes,  for  so  the  Savior  describes  the  human  heart  in  Matt.  15,  IP 

Repeat  the  passage,  you  learned  it  under  the  sixth  com 
mandment.  "Out  of  the  heart  proceed  evil  thoughts,  mur- 
ders, adulteries,  fornications,  thefta,  false  witness,  blas- 
phemies." 


LESSON    29.  93 

38.  These  evil  thoughts  are  the  root  aiad  source  of  evil  words  and 

.  actions.  But  the  root  of  a  thing  is  of  the  same  character 
as  the  thing  itself.  A  salty  stream  flows  from  what  kind  of 
a  spring?     It  flows  from  a  salty  spring. 

39.  If  then  it  is  a  sin  to  steal,  what  must  we  say  of  the  thoughts 

and  desires  which  lead  to  stealing?  These  thoughts  and  de- 
sires are  also  sinful. 

40.  What  judgment  does  God  pass  on  the  heart  of  man  in  (Jen.  8,  21? 

"The  imagination   of  man's   heart  is  evil  from   his  youth." 

41.  The   imagination   of   man's   heart  here   means   his   thoughts   and 

desires.  And  what  does  God  say  of  these?  He  says  they 
are  evil. 

42.  Yes,  and  they  are  evil  not  only  when  he  grows  older,  but  what 

does  God  say?     He  says  they  are  evil  from  his  youth. 

43.  Did  God  create  man  evil?     No,  he  created  him  good. 

44.  But  how  do  we  find  man  now?     We  find  him  evil. 

45.  Yes,  in  his  thoughts,  words  and  deeds  he  is  bad.     So  God  says 

of  the  people  at  the  time  of  the  flood.  Gen.  6,  5.  Repeat  the 
passage.  "And  God  saw  that  the  wickedness  of  man  was 
great  in  the  earth,  and  that  every  imagination  of  the 
thoughts  of  his  heart  was  only  evil  continually." 

46.  Read  also  what  Job  says,  chap.  15,   1446.     "What   is   man,  that 

he  should  be  clean?  and  he  which  is  born  of  a  woman,  that 
he  should  be  righteous?  Behold  he  putteth  no  trust  in  his 
saints.  How  much  more  abominable  and  filthy  is  man,  which 
drinketh   iniquity  like  water?" 

47.  Now  children,   examine  your  hearts.     Try   to   see   them   as   God 

sees  them,  and  what  will  you  find?  We  find  them  full  of 
sins. 

48.  They  are  full   of  what  kind   of  desires?     They   are   full    of   evil 

desires. 

49 .  Our  hearts  are  by  nature  like  the  ground.     What  does  the  ground 

bring  forth  of  itself?     It  brings  forth  weeds. 

50.  And  so  what  do  our  hearts  bring  forth?     They  bring  forth   sin. 

51.  Yes,  sin  is  natural  to  us,  since  the  fall  of  our  first  parents,  just 

as  natural  as  it  is  for  the  earth  to  bring  forth  weeds.  When 
God  says:  "Thou  shall  not  covet  anything  that  is  thy  neigh- 
bor's," he  forbids  even  the  least  evil  desire.  For  what  is 
even  the  least  evil  desire.     It  is  sin. 


LESSON   29.     WHAT   IS  COMMANDED   IN   THE  TENTH 
COMMANDMENT. 

(Question  108-110.) 

Repeat  the  tenth  commandment.  "Thou  shalt  not  covet  thy 
neighbor's  wife,  nor  his  man-servant,  nor  his  maid-servant, 
nor  his  ox,  nor  his  ass,  or  anything   that   is  thy   neighbor's." 

What  does  this  mean?  "We  should  fear  and  love  God,  that  we 
may  not  estrange,  force  or  entice  away  from  our  neighbor 
his  wife,  servants  or  cattle;  but  urge  them  to  stay  and  do 
their  duty." 


94  LESSON    29. 

3.  What  is  forbidden  in  this  commandment?     We  should  not  covet 

our  neighbor's  wife,  servants  or  cattle,  or  not  estrange,  force 
or  entice  them  away  from   him. 

4.  (108)     "What  is   enjoined   on   us  here?"     "We   should   urge   our 

neighbor's  wife  and  servants  to  stay  and  do  their  duty." 

5.  You  all  remember  the  story  of  Joseph.     In  whose  house  was  he 

a  servant?     In  the  house  of  Potiphar. 

6.  What  awful  sin  did  Potiphar's  wicked  wife  ask  Joseph  to  commit 

with  her?     The  sin  of  adultery. 

7.  Now  let  us  see  what  Joseph  said  to  this  wicked  woman  who  was 

so  unfaithful  to  her  husband.  Read  Gen.  39,  9.  "There  is 
none  greater  in  the  house  than  !;  neither  hath  he  (Potiphar) 
kept  back  anything  from  me  but  thee,  because  thou  art  his 
wife:  how  can  I  do  this  great  wickedness  and  sin  against 
God?" 

8.  Joseph  here  reminded  the  woman  of  the  confidence  her  husband 

put  in  him  and  of  what  relation  did  he  remind  her  with  ref- 
erence to  her  husband?  He  reminded  her  of  the  fact  that 
she  was  his  wife. 

9.  And   of  what  duty   did   he   thereby  also  remind  her?     That  she 

should  be  faithful  to  her  husband. 

10.  She  was  on  the  fair  way  of  deserting  her  husband,  in  fact,  in  her 

heart  she  was  already  unfaithful  to  him.  When  Joseph 
spoke  of  her  being  Potiphar's  wife  against  what  sin  did  he 
warn  her?  Against  the  sin  of  being  unfaithful  to  hep  hus- 
band. 

11.  So   Joseph   acted   in    accordance   with    the    tenth    commandment. 

He  urged  the  woman  "to  stay  and  do  her  duty."  Now  let 
us  see  a  case  in  which  the  apostle  Paul  urges  a  man-servant 
to  return  to  his  master  and  be  obedient.  Paul  had  a  friend 
by  the  name  of  Philemon,  who  had  a  servant  or  slave  called 
Onesimus.  This  servant  had  run  away  from  his  master. 
Afterwards  this  runaway  servant  became  a  Christian 
through  Paul's  preaching;  now  read  what  the  apostle  did 
with  him.-  Philemon,  Verse  12.  "Whom  I  have  sent  again: 
thou  therefore  receive  him." 

12.  Paul  sent  the  servant  Onesimus   back  again  to  his  master  and 

asked  the  latter  to  receive  him  kindly.  Thus  he  urged  One- 
simus to  stay  with  his  master  and  do  his  duty.  Now  let  us 
also  see  a  case  in  which  a  maid-servant  was  urged  to  return 
to  her  mistress  and  be  obedient  to  her.  Who  was  Abraham's 
wife?    Sarah  was  Abraham's  wife. 

13.  Sarah   had   a  maid-servant   by  the   name  of  Hagar.     Hagar  was 

offended  at  her  mistress  and  ran  away.  Now  read  what  the 
angel  of  the  Lord  said  to  Hagar  when  he  found  her  in  the 
wilderness.  Gen.  Ifi,  9.  "And  the  angel  of  the  Lord  said 
unto  her,  return  to  thy  mistress,  and  submit  thyself  under 
her  hands." 

14.  What  did  he  urge  her  to  do?     He   urged   her  to  go   back  and  do 

her  duty. 

1.^).  Now  read  what  is  written,  Deut.  22.  1.  "Thou  shalt  not  see  thy 
brother's  ox  or  his  sheep  go  astray,  and  hide  thyself  from 
them:  thou  shalt  in  any  case  bring  them  again  unto  thy 
brother." 


LESSON    29.  95 

16.  Not  only   should   we   urge  our  neighbor's   wife   and   servants   to 

stay  with  him  and  do  their  duty,  but  what  is  here  said  of  his 
domestic  animals?  We  should  bring  them  back  to  him  in 
case  they  have  strayed  away. 

17.  Yes,  we  should   do  all  we   can  to  protect  our  neighbor  against 

loss.  We  should  further  his  interests  as  we  would  whose? 
As  we  would  our  own. 

18.  Tell   me   this    with   a   scripture   passage.      "Thou    shalt    love    thy 

neighbor  as  thyself." 

19.  (109)     "When    do    we    fulfill    this    commandment?"      "When    we 

are  perfectly  holy  and  just,  as  God  originally  created  us." 

20.  How  should  we  be  according  to  this  answer?     We  should  be  per- 

fectly holy  and  just. 

21.  What  does   God   say,  Lev.   19,   2?     "Ye   shall    be   holy:    for   I    the 

Lord  your  God  am  holy." 

22.  What  does  the  Lord  our  God  here  say  of  himself?     He  says  that 

he  is  holy. 

23.  And  just  because  he  himself  is  holy  what  must  he  ask  of  us? 

He  must  ask  of  us  to  be  holy. 

24.  If  he  were  satisfied  with  anything  less  on  our  part,  he  would  not 

be  holy,  that  is,  pure,  and  perfect  himself.  A  holy  God  can 
be  pleased  only  with  what  kind  of  people?  He  can  be 
pleased  only  with   holy  people. 

25.  Give  me  another  word  for  the  word  "holy."     The  word   "pure." 

26.  You  have  learned   a  passage  in  which  the   word  "pure"  occurs. 

Repeat  it.  "Blessed  are  the  pure  In  heart:  for  they  shall  see 
God." 

27.  Who  shall  stand  before  God  and  see  him?     The   pure   in   heart. 

28.  Children,  note  that  the  Savior  here  says  not  simply  the  pure  in 

words  and  acts,  but  what  does  he  say?  "Blessed  are  the 
pure  in  heart." 

29.  Can  you  give  me  still  another  word  for  the  word  "holy?"     The 

word  "perfect." 

30.  You  have  also  learned  a  passage  in  which  this  word  occurs.     Re- 

peat it.  "Be  ye  therefore  perfect,  even  as  your  Father  which 
is  in  heaven  is  perfect." 

31.  How  does  the  Savior  want  us  to  be,  according  to  this  passage? 

He  wants  us  to  be  perfect. 

32.  Children,  take  notice  of  this.     Many  people  think  that  if  we  do 

as  near  right  as  we  can.  God  will  be  satisfied.  This  is  a 
great  mistake.  For  the  Savior  here  says  not:  be  ye  there- 
fore as  near  perfect  as  ye  can,  but  what  does  he  say?  "Be 
ye  therefore  perfect,  as  your  Father  which  is  in  heaven  is 
perfect." 

33.  How  is  our  Father  in  heaven?     He  is  perfect. 

34.  God  is  a  perfect  being,  and  when  he  made  man  how  did  he  make 

him?     He  made  him  perfect. 

35.  Read  what  is  written.  Gen.  1,  31.  "And  God  saw  everything  that 

he  had  made,  and  behold,  it  was  very  good." 

36.  God  is  good  and  perfect  and  could  not  but  make  good,  that  is, 

perfect  creatures.  What  was  the  last  thing  that  God  made? 
The  last  thing  that  God  made  was  man,  that  is  human 
beings. 

37.  Now  read  what  is  written.  Gen.  1,  27.     "So  God  created   man   in 

his  own  image,  in  the  image  of  God  created  he  him." 


96  LESSON    30. 

38 .  The  image  of  a  person  is  a  likeness  or  picture  of  tlie  person.     So 

man  was  like  whom  when  he  was  created?  He  was  like 
God. 

39.  In  what  respect  was  man  like  his  holy  Maker?     He  was  holy. 

40.  In  the  answer  to  question  109  we  are  told  how  God  created  us. 

Tell  me.     He  created  us  perfectly  holy  and  just. 

41.  So  why  has  God  a  right  to  ask  us  to  be  perfectly  holy  and  just? 

Because  he  created  us  so. 

42.  Are  we  still  in  this  condition?     We  are  not. 

43.  But  remember,  it  is  not  God's  fault  that  we  are  no  longer  in  the 

condition  in  which  he  created  us.  He  is  the  same  holy  and 
unchangeable  God,  and  therefor  what  does  he  still  ask  of  us? 
He  still  asks  us  to  be  holy  and  just. 

44.  (110)     "What    is    threatened    in    this    commandment?"      "When 

lust  hath  conceived,  it  bringeth  forth  sin;  and  sin  when  it  is 
finished,  bringeth  forth  death."     .James  1,  15. 

45.  Here  the   apostle   describes   the   course   of   sin.     What   does   he 

first  speak  of?     He  first  speaks  of  lust. 

46.  By  this  he  means  evil  desire.     When  evil  desires  are  kept  and 

nursed  in  the  heart,  what  do  they  bring  forth?  They  bring 
forth  sin. 

47.  If  we  would  avoid  sinful  words  and  acts  what  must  we  do  with 

lust  or  evil  desires?  We  must  crowd  them  out  of  our 
hearts. 

48.  If  we  take  pleasure  in  such  sinful  desires  this  in  itself  is  sin, 

and  how  will  such  sinful  desires  find  expression?     They  will 
find   expression   in   sinful  words  and  acts. 

49.  And  when  sin  is  thus  done,  or  as  the  apostle  says,  is  finished, 

what  does  it  bring  forth?     It  bringeth  forth  death. 

50.  What  did  God  say  to  Adam  in  the  garden  of  Eden,  Gen.  2,  16.  17? 

"And  the  Lord  God  commanded,  saying,  Of  every  tree  in  the 
garden  thou  mayest  freely  eat;  but  of  the  tree  of  the  knowl- 
edge of  good  and  evil,  thou  shalt  not  eat  of  it:  for  in  the 
day  that  thou   eatest  thereof  thou   shalt  surely   die." 

51.  Now  read  what  St.  Paul  says,  Rom.  6,  23,  the  first  clause.     "For 

the  wages  of  sin   is  death." 

52.  Sin  and  death  are  related   to  each  other  like  cause  and   effect. 

When  man  sinned  he  became  subject  to  death.  Now  read 
Rom.  5,  12.  "Wherefore,  as  by  one  man  sin  entered  into  the 
world,  and  death  by  sin;  so  death  passed  upon  all  men  for 
that  all    have  sinned." 

53.  So   why    are   all    men    subject   to   death?      Because   they   are   all 

sinners. 


LESSON    30.      THE    CONCLUSION,   THE    EARNEST   THREAT. 

(Question   111-117.) 

(Ill)  "What  does  God  say  of  all  these  commandments?"  "He 
says  thus:  I  the  Lord,  thy  God,  am  a  jealous  God,  visiting  the 
iniquity  of  the  fathers  upon  the  children  unto  the  third  and 
fourth  generation  of  them  that  hate  me,  and  showing  mercy 
unto  thousands  of  them  that  love  me  and  keep  my  com- 
mandments." 


LESSON    30.  97 

2.  (112)     "What  does  this  mean?"    "God  threatens  to  punish  all  that 

transgress  these  commandments.  Therefore  we  should  fear 
his  wrath  and  not  act  contrary  to  these  commandments. 
But  he  also  promises  grace  and  every  blessing  to  all  that 
keep  these  commandments.  Therefore  we  should  also  love 
and  trust  in  him  and  willingly  do  according  to  his  command- 
ments." 

3.  Let  us  turn  to   the  20th  chapter  of  Exodus  and   read  the  com- 

mandments in  the  order  in  which  God  gave  them.  Now  tell 
me,  after  which  commandment  do  we  find  the  words:  "I,  the 
Lord,  thy  God,  am  a  jealous  God  etc?"  We  find  them  after 
the  first  commandment. 

4.  But  where  did  Luther  put  them  in  the  Catechism?     He  put  them 

at  the  end  of  all  the  commandments. 

5.  (113)     "Why  did  Luther  place  these  words  at  the  close  of  the 

Ten  Commandments?"  "Because  they  pertain  not  only  to 
the  first,  but  to  all  the  Ten  Commandments." 

6.  We  may  read  these  words  in  connection  with  the  first  command- 

ment thus:  I  am  the  Lord,  thy  God.  Thou  shalt  have  no  oth- 
er gods  before  me,  for  I,  the  Lord  thy  God,  am  a  jealous  God, 
visiting  the  iniquity  of  the  fathers  upon  the  children  etc. 
Now  you  may  in  the  same  way  repeat  these  word  in  con- 
nectioji  with  the  second  commandment.  "Thou  shalt  not 
take  the  name  of  the  Lord,  thy  God,  in  vain,  for  I,  the  Lord 
thy  God,  am  a  jealous  God,  visiting  the  iniquity  of  the  fath- 
ers upon  the  children,  etc." 

7.  Now    repeat   them    in    connection    with    the    fifth   commandment. 

"Thou  shalt  not  kill,  for  I  the  Lord,  thy  God,  am  a  jealous 
God,  visiting  the  iniquity  of  the  fathers  upon  the  children 
etc." 

8.  So  you  see  that  these  word  refer  not  only  to  the  first  command- 

ment but  to  each  of  the  ten,  and  on  that  account  where  did 
Luther  place  them  in  the  Catechism?  He  placed  them  at  the 
end   of  the  ten   commandments. 

9.  What  do  we  therefore  call  these  words?    Tell  me  from  the  head- 

ing of  today's  lesson.  We  call  them  the  conclusion  of  the 
ten  commandments. 

10.  (114)     "What  does  this  conclusion  contain?"     "An  earnest  threat 

against  all  who  transgress  these  commandments,  and  a  gra- 
cious  promise  for  all   who   keep  them." 

11.  How  many  things   do  these  words   contain?     They   contain   two 

things. 

12.  What  is  the  first?     The  first  is  an  earnest  threat. 

13.  (115)     "What  is  that  earnest  threat?"    "I,  the  Lord,  thy  God,  am 

a  jealous  God,  visiting  the  iniquity  of  the  fathers  upon  the 
children  unto  the  third  and  fourth  generation  of  them  that 
hate  me." 

14.  What  does  God  here  call  himself?     He  calls  himself  the  Lord,  our 

God. 

15.  In  which  commandment  do  we  find  these  same  words?     We  find 

them  in  the  first  commandment. 

16.  If  God  is  Lord  what  has  he  a  right  to  do?     He  has  a  right  to  com- 

mand. 

17.  If  he  is  our  Lord  what  are  we?     We  are  his  servants. 

18.  If  it  is  his  to  command  what  is  our  duty?     It  is  our  duty  to  obey. 


98  LESSON    30. 

19.  But  he  not  only  calls  himself  our  Lord  but  what  does  he  add? 

He  adds:   "Thy  God." 

20.  As  God  he  is  our  highest  good,  our  greatest  benefactor,  what  do 

we  owe  him  for  his  great  goodness  and  mercy?  We  should 
love  and  obey  him. 

21.  But  what  kind  of  a  God  does  the  Lord  call  himself  in  these  words? 

He  calls  himself  a  Jealous  God. 

22.  God  is  jealous  of  his  honor.     He  cannot  consent  to  be  treated  as 

one  among  many.  Read  what  is  written  Isa.  42,  8.  "I  am 
the  Lord;  that  is  my  name;  and  my  glory  will  I  not  give  to 
another,  neither  my  praise  to  graven  images." 

23.  He  is  in  earnest  when  he  gives  us  these  commandments.     God 

always  means  what  he  says.  What  does  he  here  say  with 
reference  to  iniquidy?     He  says  that  he  will  visit  it. 

24.  What  does  he  mean  by  visiting  iniquity?     He  means  that  he  will 

punish    it. 

25.  Read  what  is  written  Ps.  7,  11-13.    "God  judgeth  the  righteous  and 

God  is  angry  with  the  wicked  every  day.  If  he  turn  not,  He 
will  whet  his  sword;  he  hath  bent  his  bow,  and  made  it 
ready.  He  hath  prepared  for  him  the  instruments  of  death; 
he  ordaineth  his  arrows  against  the  persecutors." 

26.  Whom  does  God  threaten  to  punish?     He  threatens  to  punish  all 

those  who  transgress  these  commandments. 

27.  Men  sometimes  make  threats  which  they  never  mean  to  and  nev- 

er do  carry  out.  Not  so  with  God.  He  threatens  to  punish 
sin  and  he  does  punish  it.  He  punishes  it  in  time  and  eter- 
nity. Let  us  see  some  examples  of  how  God  punishes  sin. 
How  did  God  once  punish  the  whole  world  on  account  of  sin? 
By  sending  the  flood. 

28.  How  did  he  once  punish  two  specially  wicked  cities  by  an  awe- 

ful  visitation  from  heaven?  He  rained  fire  and  brimstone 
from  heaven  and  destroyed  the  cities  of  Sodom  and  Go- 
morrah, 

29.  How  were  wicked  King  Pharaoh  and  his  godless  people  punished 

for  refusing  to  obey  God's  command?  God  sent  terrible 
plagues  upon  them  and  they  were  at  last  drowned  in  the  Red 
Sea. 

30.  Read  what  is  written  Gen.  2.  17.     "But  of  the  tree  of  the  knowl- 

edge of  good  and  evil,  thou  shalt  not  eat  of  it;  for  in  the  day 
that  thou  eatest  thereof  thou   shalt  surely  die." 

31.  What  did  God  threaten  should  be  the  result  of  sin?     He  threat- 

ened that  death  should  be  the  result  of  sin. 

32.  And  from  the  fact  that  as  a  result  of  sin  all  men  must  die  we  see 

how  terribly  in  earnest  God  is  •in  this  threat.  God  punishes 
sin  in  this  world,  not  only  by  all  manner  of  calamities  and 
death,  but  also  by  the  tortures  of  an  evil  conscience.  When 
Cain  killed  his  brother  Abel,  what  did  God  say  to  him?  Gen. 
4,  11.  "And  now  art  thou  cursed  from  the  earth,  which  hath 
opened  her  mouth  to  receive  thy  brother's  blood  from  thy 
hand.  When  thou  tillest  the  ground,  it  shall  not  henceforth 
yield  unto  thee  her  strength;  a  fugitive  and  a  vagabond  shalt 
thou   be   in  the  earth." 

33.  Cain  had  no  rest  anywhere.     He  was  constantly  afraid  someone 

would  kill  him  as  he  had  killed  his  brother.  What  do  we 
call  that  inward  feeling  of  fear  and  dreid  which  gives  an 
evil  doer  no  rest  night  or  day?     We  call  it  conscience. 


LESSON    30.  99 

34.  So  the  curse  of  God   rests  upon  the  wicked.     What  was  it  that 

finally  led  Judas  to  despair  and  take  his  own  life  when  he 
had  betrayed  his  Lord  and  Master?     It  was  his  conscience. 

35.  Yes,  children,  an  evil  conscience  is  the  very  curse  of  God.     For 

a  while  its  voice  may  be  suppressed;  it  may  be  put  to  sleep, 
but  when  it  awakes  it  is  like  a  consuming  fire.  David,  af- 
ter his  sad  fall  into  sin  felt  the  hand  of  God  resting  heavy 
upon  him.  Read  what  he  says  Ps.  32,  3.  4.  "When  I  kept  si- 
lence, my  bones  waxed  old  through  my  roaring  all  the  day 
long.  For  day  and  night  thy  hand  was  heavy  upon  me;  my 
moisture   is  turned  into  the  drought  of  summer." 

36.  But  God  punishes  sin  not  only  in  this  world  but  also  in  the  world 

to  come.  Read  what  is  written  concerning  the  wicked  in 
Rev.  14,  11.  "And  the  smoke  of  their  torment  ascendeth  up 
forever  and  ever." 

37.  And  again  read  what  is  said  of  the  wicked  Math.  25,  46.     "And 

these  shall  go  away  into  everlasting  punishment." 

38.  But  God  does  not  simply  say  in  this  conclusion  that  he  will  visit, 

that  is,  punish  iniquity,  but  what  does  he  add?  He  adds: 
"Of  the  fathers  upon  the  children  unto  the  third  and  fourth 
generation  of  them  that  hate  me." 

39.  When  people  hate  God  how  do  they  show  it?     They  show   it  by 

transgressing  his  commandments. 

40.  As  love  of  God  is  the  source  of  all  true  obedience  to  God,  so  what 

is  the  real  source  of  all  disobedience?     The  hatred  of  God. 

41.  And  this  hatred  of  God  and  the  sinfulness  which  flows  from  it  is 

transplanted  from  one  generation  to  another.  Wicked  fath- 
ers and  mothers  usually  have  what  kind  of  children?  They 
usually  have  wicked  children. 

42.  So  we  find  that  not  only  sin  but  also  its  curse  is  handed  down 

from  parents  to  children.  When  a  drunkard  wastes  his  mon- 
ey and  ruins  his  health  not  only  he  himself  suffers,  but  who 
suffers  with  him?     His  wife  and  children. 

43.  So  we  find  that  sickness,  misery  and  death  are  often  handed  down 

from  parents  to  children  as  the  result  of  sin.  By  what  word 
do  we  express  this?  We  say  children  inherit  these  things 
from  their  parents. 

44.  (116)     "When   does    God    punish   also  the   children   for   the   sins 

of  their  parents?"  When  they  follow  in  the  footsteps  of 
their  wicked  parents." 

45.  Canaan  was   the   wicked   son   of  Ham,  the   second    son   of   Noah. 

Ham  was  a  scoffer  and  made  light  of  his  father,  and  Noah  in 
the  name  of  God  cursed  not  only  Ham  but  also  his  son  Ca- 
naan. Gen.  9,  25.  Why  was  this?  Because  Canaan  followed  the 
footsteps  of  his  wicked  father. 

46.  What  did  the  wicked  .Tews  cry  out  with  reference  to  themselves 

and  their  children  when  Pilate  wanted  to  release  the  Savior? 
"His  blood  come   upon  us  and  our  children." 

47.  This  was  an  awful  thing  to  say.     The  curse  of  God  which  they 

called   down   upon   themselves  and   upon   their  children  still 

rests  upon   them.     They  hated  the   Savior  and  rejected  him 

and  what  did  also  their  children  do?  They  also  hated  and 
rejected  the  Savior. 


100  LESSON   31. 

48.  And  therefore    tJieii    city  was   destroyed,   tneir  land   devastated, 

their  nation  dispersed,  and  they  have  been  hated  and  per- 
secuted, despised  and  rejected  bv  evei'y  nation  under  neav- 
en.  Why  do  tlie  Jews  of  today  still  suffer  for  the  sins  of  their 
fathers?  Because  they  have  followed  in  the  footsteps  of 
their  fathers. 

49.  But  if  children  do  not  follow  in  the  footsteps  of  their  wicked  par- 

ents, but  repent  and  become  pious  children  of  God,  then 
what  will  God  surely  not  do?  He  will  not  punish  them  for 
the  sins  of  their  fathers. 

50.  This  we  see  from  Ezek.  18,  20.     Repeat  the  passage.     "The  soul 

that  sinneth  it  shall  die.  The  son  shall  not  bear  the  iniquity 
of  the  father,  neither  shall  the  father  bear  the  iniquity  of  the 
son;  the  righteousness  of  the  righteous  shall  be  upon  him, 
and  the  wickedness  of  the  wicked  shall   be  upon   him." 

51.  Even  pious  children  may  have  to  bear  the  temporal  consequences 

of  the  sins  of  their  wicked  parents  and  ancestors,  but  when 
this  is  the  case  it  is  not  to  be  looked  upon  as  a  curse, 
but  as  a  fatherly  chastisement  for  their  own  temporal  and 
eternal  good.  This  we  see  from  Rom.  8,  28.  Read  the  pass- 
age. "And  we  know  that  all  things  work  together  for  good 
to  them  that  love  God.,  to  them  who  are  the  chosen  accord- 
ing to  his  purpose." 
62.  (117)  "Why  did  God  add  this  threat?"  "That  we  may  fear  hit, 
wrath   and    not  act  contrary   to   these   commandrr.onts." 

53.  What  should  we  fear?     We  should  fear  God's  wrath. 

54.  What  does  God  hate?     God  hates  sin. 

55.  Yes,  and  the  wrath  of  God  is  dreadful,  something  to  fear  indeed. 

The  Savior  himself  speaks  of  this  in  the  second  part  of  the 
passage  Math.  10,  37.  Read  it.  "But  rather  fear  Him  which 
is  able  to  destroy  both  soul  and  body  in  hell." 

56.  Read  also  what  is  written  of  God  in  Deut.  4,  24.     "For  the  Lord, 

thy  God,  is  a  consuming  fire,  even  a  jealous  God." 

57.  We  should  fear  the  wrath  of  God  and  to  what  should  this  lead 

us?     Not  to  act  contrary  to  his  commandments. 

58.  Read  in  this  connection  also  Prov.  16,  6.     "By  the  fear  of  the  Lord 

men  depart  from  evil." 


LESSON   31.     THE   GRACIOUS   PROMISE. 

(Questions  118-119.) 

What  does  God  say  of  all  the  commandments?  "He  says  thus: 
I  the  Lord  thy  God  am  a  jealous  God,  visiting  the  iniquity  of 
the  fathers  upon  the  children  unto  the  third  and  fourth  gen- 
eration of  them  that  hate  me,  and  showing  mercy  unto 
thousands  of  them  that  love  me  and  keep  my  command- 
ments." 

What  does  this  mean?  "God  threatens  to  punish  all  that  trans- 
gress these  commandments.  Therefore  we  should  fear  his 
wrath,  and  not  act  contrary  to  these  commandments.  But 
he  promises  grace  and  every  blessing  to  all  that  keep  these 
commandments.  Therefore  we  should  also  love  and  trust  in 
Him   and  willingly   do  according   to    His  Commandments." 

How  many  parts  does  this  conclusion  of  the  ten  commandments 
contain?     It  contains  two  parts. 


LESSON    31  101 

4.  Repeat  the  first  part.     "I    the    Lord   thy   God  am    a    jealous  God, 

visiting  the  iniquity  of  the  fathers  upon  the  children  unto  the 
third  and  fourth  generation  of  them  that  hate  m«," 

5.  What  are  these  words?     These  words  are  an   earnest  threat. 

6.  What  does  God  threaten  in  these  words?     He  threatens  to  punish 

all  who  transgress  these  commandments. 

7.  But  what   else   does   this   conchision   contain   besides   an   earnest 

threat?     It  also  contains  a  gracious  promise. 

8.  (118)     "Which    is    the    gracious    iiromise?"     "I    will    show    mercy 

unto  thousands  of  them  that  love  me,  and  keep  my  command- 
ments." 

9.  What  does  God  in  these  words  promise?     He  promises  grace  and 

every  blessing. 

10.  To   whom   does   He   promise    grace   and   every    blessing?     To    all 

who  keep  these  commandments. 

11.  To  which  one  of  the  commandments  did  God  add  a  special  prom- 

ise? He  added  a  special  promise  to  the  fourth  command- 
ment. 

12.  What  is  this  special  promise?     "That   it  may  be  well  with   thea 

and  thou  mayest  live  long  in  the  earth." 

13.  Although    God    makes    a    special    promise   with    reference    to    the 

fourth  commandment  yet  he  promises  to  bless  obedience  to 
all  the  commandments.  This  we  see  from  Deut.  5,  29.  What 
does  God  here  say  of  his  people?  "Oh  that  there  were  such 
a  heart  in  them,  that  they  would  fear  me,  and  keep  all  my 
commandments  always,  that  it  might  be  well  with  them,  and 
with  their  children  forever. 

14.  What  does  God  here  say  of  those  who  keep  his  commandments? 

He  says  it  shall  be  well  with  them  and  with  their  children 
forever. 

15.  Read   also   what  is   written   Psalm    119,   165.     "Great   peace    have 

they  which  love  thy  law:  and  nothing  shall  offend  them." 

16.  What  shall  they  have  who  love  the  law  of  God?     They  shall  have 

great  peace. 

17.  That  is,   their  conscience   shall  not  trouble  them.     A  quiet  con- 

science is  one  of  the  greatest  of  God's  blessings.  Now  read 
what  is  written  Psalm  19,  11,  concerning  God's  command- 
ments. "Moreover  by  them  is  thy  servant  warned:  and  in 
keeping  of  them  is  great  reward." 

18.  The  keeping  of  God's  commandments  not  only  brings  inward  hap- 

piness. But  what  does  God  say  of  the  keeping  of  his  com- 
mandments? He  says  in  keeping  of  them  there  is  great  re- 
ward. 

19.  So  we  read  in  the  128th  Psalm  verses  1  and  2.  "Blessed  is  every 

one  that  feareth  the  Lord;  that  walketh  in  his  ways.  For 
thou  shalt  eat  the  labor  of  thine  hands:  happy  shalt  thou  be, 
and  it  shall   be  well  with  thee." 

20.  Peace  and  prosperity  are  promised  as  a  reward  to  those  who  walk 

in  the  way  of  God's  commandments.  What  does  the  apostle 
write  1  Tim.  4,  8?  "But  godliness  is  profitable  unto  ail 
things,  having  the  promise  of  the  life  that  now  is,  and  of 
that  which  is  to  come." 


102  LESSON    31, 

21.  It  is  profitable  to  be  godly.     It  pays  to  be  good.     The  righteous 

are  a  thousand  times  better  off  even  in  this  world  than  the 
wicked,  for  not  only  does  God  bestow  upon  them  his  choic- 
est gifts,  but  even  the  afflictions  which  they  endure  God  over- 
rules for  their  good  as  we  see  from  Rom.  8,  28.  Read  the 
passage.  "We  know  that  all  things  work  together  for  good 
to  them  that  love  God." 

22.  Abraham  was  a  God-fearing  man  and  walked  in  the  way  of  God's 

commandments.  How  did  the  Lord  bless  him?  He  gave  him 
great  wealth  and  made  him  a  great  nation. 

23.  When  Solomon  walked  in  the  way  of  God's  commandments  and 

asked  the  Lord  for  wisdom  what  did  God  give  him  in  ad- 
dition?    He  gave  him  both  riches  and  honor. 

24.  We  have   seen    above   that   in    keeping   of   God's    commandments 

there  is  great  reward.  This  reward  is  not  confined  to  this 
world.  But  even  where  will  God  reward  those  who  serve 
him  faithfully?     He  will   reward  them  in  the  world  to  come. 

25.  This  we  see  from  Math.  5,  12.  Read  the  passage.     "Rejoice  and 

be  exceeding  glad:  for  great  Is  your  reward  in  heaven." 

26.  In  this  same  chapter,  verse  8,  what  is  said  of  the  pure  in  heart? 

"Blessed  are  the  pure  in   heart;   for  they  shall   see  God." 

27.  God  promises  to  reward  those  that  keep  his  commandments.  Now 

let  us  see  what  kind  of  a  reward  this  is.  When  a  man  pays 
another  his  debts,  what  does  his  creditor  owe  him  for  so  do- 
ing?    He  owes  him  nothing. 

28.  No,  when  the  debtor  pays  his  debts,  he  simply  does  his  duty  and 

the  creditor  is  under  no  obligation  to  him.  Now  what  do  we 
owe  God  with  reference  to  his  commandments?  We  owe  him 
obedience. 

29.  And  what  does  God  owe  us  when  we  simply  do  our  duty?  He  owes 

us  nothing. 

30.  None  of  us  keep  the  commandments  of  God  perfectly,  but  even 

if  we  did  what  would  God  owe  us  for  it?  He  would  owe 
us  nothing. 

31.  So  the  Savior  plainly  teaches  us  Luke  17,  10.  Read  the  passage. 

"So  likewise  ye,  when  ye  shall  have  done  all  those  things 
which  are  commanded  you,  say:  we  are  unprofitable  ser- 
vants; we  have  done  that  which  was  our  duty  to  do." 

32.  And  yet,   although   we  deserve  no  reward,   God  has  promised  to 

reward  us.  This  is  not  a  reward  of  merit.  What  is  it  that 
induces  God  to  promise  such  a  reward?  It  is  his  love  and 
mercy. 

33.  Yes,  or  his  grace.  Then  what  kind  of  a  reward  is  it?     It  is  a  gra- 

cious reward. 

34.  What  does   God   say  he  will   show   to  those  who  keep   his   com- 

mandments?    He  will  show  mercy. 

35.  And  to  whom  will  he  show  mercy?     He  will  show  mercy  to  those 

who   love  him  and   keep   his  commandments. 

36.  He  promises  to  bless  not  those  who  only  outwardly  keep  the  com- 

mandments, but  whom  does  he  promise  to  bless?  He  prom- 
ises to  bless  those  who  love  him  and  keep  his  command- 
ments. 

37.  In  God's  eyes  the  character  of  an  act  depends  upon  the  motive 

from  which  it  is  done.  What  is  the  true  motive  for  keep- 
ing God's  commandments?     Our  love  to  him. 


LESSON    31.  103 

38.  How  has  Luther  expressed   this   in  his   explanation  of  each   one 

of  the  commandments?  He  begins  all  these  explanations 
with  the  words:  "We  should  fear  and  love  God." 

39.  When  we  really  love  God  how  will  we  show  it?  We  will  show  it 

by   keeping   his  commandments. 

40.  So  the  Savior  himself  says  in  John  14,  15.  Read  the  passage.  "If 

ye  love  me  keep  my  commandments." 

41.  God  promises   to   liless   those   who   keep   his   commandments.   To 

whom  is  he  willing  to  show  mercy?  Unto  thousands  of 
them  who  love  him  and  keep  his  commandments. 

42.  When  he  threatens  to  punish  he  says:    "Visiting  the  iniquity  of 

the  fathers  upon  the  children  unto  the  third  and  fourth  gen- 
eration of  them  that  hate  me."  But  when  he  speaks  of  bless- 
ing he  does  not  simply  say:  The  third  and  fourth  generation, 
but  how  does  he  enlarge  this  promise?  He  says:  Unto  thous- 
ands of  them  that  love  me  and  keep  my  commandments. 

43.  That  is  from  one  generation  to  another  God  will  bless  the  right- 

eous. The  blessing  of  God  will  descend  from  parents  to 
children.  Read  what  is  written  Psalm  37,  25.  "I  have  been 
young,  and  now  am  old;  yet  have  I  not  seen  the  righteous 
forsaken  nor  his  seed  begging  bread." 

44.  Abraham  walked  in  the  ways  of  God.     God  blessed  him  and  not 

only  him  but  upon  whom  did  this  blessing  descend  after  him? 
Upon  his  son  Isaac,  and  his  grandson  Jacob. 

45.  David  was  a  man  after  God's  own  heart  and  God  richly  blessed 

him.  Upon- whom  did  this  blessing  descend  after  him?  Upon 
his  son  Solomon. 

46.  So  God  often  blesses  children  for  whose  sake?     For  the  sake  of 

their  parents. 

47.  What  did  God  say  to  Isaac?  Gen.  25,  23.     "I  am  the  God  of  Abra- 

ham thy  father;  fear  not  for  I  am  with  thee,  and  will  bless 
thee  and  multiply  thy  seed  for  my  servant  Abraham's  sake." 

48.  For  whose  sake  did  God  promise  to  bless  Isaac?     For  the  sake 

of  his  father  Abraham. 

49.  When  God  threatens  to  punish  he  speaks  of  the  third  and  fourth 

generation,  but  when  he  promises  to  bless  he  speaks  of 
thousands  of  generations.  Which  do  you  think  he  would 
rather  do,  punish  or  bless?     He  would  much  rather  bless. 

50.  (119)     "Why  did  God  add   this  promise?"    (Namely  the   promise 

to  bless).  "That  we  may  also  love  and  trust  in  him  and  wil- 
lingly do  according  to  his  commandments." 

51.  When  we  hear  that  God,  out  of  pure  love  and  mercy,   promises 

to  bless  those  who  keep  these  commandments,  how  should 
we  feel  towards  him?     We  should  love  him, 

52.  And  when  he  promises  us  anything  how  should  we  regard  these 

promises?     We  should  put  our  trust  in  them. 

53.  And  if  we  love  and  trust  in  him,  how  will  we  show  it?     We  will 

show   it   by   doing   according   to   his   commandments. 

54.  And   how   should   we    do   according   to    his    commandments?     We 

should   willingly  do  according  to   his  commandments. 

55.  We  should  obey  God's  commandments  because  it  is  a  pleasure  for 

us  to  do  so.  Not  the  fear  of  punishment,  nor  the  hope  of 
reward  should  be  the  motive  of  our  obedience.  Tell  me  what 
is  the  real  motive  of  all  true  obedience  to  God's  command- 
ments.    The  real   motive   is  love. 

56.  And  how  does  this  love  prompt  us  to  obey  God's  commandments? 

It  prompts  us  to  obey  God's  commandments  willingly. 


104  LESSON    32. 

LESSON  32.     THE  USE  OF  THE  LAW. 

(Questions  120-122.) 

1.  (120)     "Can  we  perfectly    keep    the    commandments    of    God?" 

"No,  for  we  are  by  nature  wicked  and  born  sinners." 

2.  How  flhould  the  commandments  of  God   be  kept?     They  should 

be  kept  perfectly. 

3.  Tell  me  with  a  scripture  passage  that  God  would  have  us  to  be 

perfect.  Math.  5,  48.  "Be  ye  therefore  perfect  even  as  your 
Father  which  is  in  heaven  is  perfect." 

4.  God  is  perfect  and  what  does  He  require  of  us?     He  requires  that 

we  also  should  be  perfect. 

5.  How  did  God  make  man  in  the  beginning?     He  made  him  perfect. 

6.  But  how  is  man  now  since  the  fall?     He  is  imperfect,  sinful. 

7.  Tell  me  from  today's  lesson  with  a  scripture  passage  the  condi- 

tion of  man's  heart  from  his  youth.  Gen.  8,  21.  "The  imag- 
ination of  man's  heart  is  evil  from  his  youth." 

8.  And  now  tell  me  another  passage  from  which  we  see  that  all  men 

are  alike  in  this  respect.  Ps.  143,  2.  "Enter  not  into  judg- 
ment with  thy  servant:  for  in  thy  sight  shall  no  man  living 
be  justified." 

9.  We  have  another  passage  in  today's  lesson  which  says  that  even 

our  seeming  righteousness  can  not  stand  before  God.  Re- 
peat it.  Isaiah  64,  6.  "We  are  all  as  an  unclean  thing,  and 
all  our  righteousnesses  are  as  filthy  rags." 

10.  Now  read  Ps.  14,  2.  3.  "The  Lord  looked  down  from  heaven  upon 

the  children  of  men,  to  see  if  there  were  any  that  did  under 
stand,  and  seek  God.  They  are  ail  gone  aside,  they  are  al- 
together become  filthy:  there  is  none  that  doeth  good,  no, 
not  one." 

11.  Read  also  what  is  written  Rom.  3,  9.  10.     "What  then?     Are  we 

better  than  they?  No,  in  no  wise:  for  we  have  before  proved 
both  Jews  and  Gentiles,  that  they  are  all  under  sin;  as  it  is 
written,  ihere  is  none  righteous,  no,  not  one." 

12.  Now  turn   to   and   read   Job    15,   14-16.       "What    is   man   that   he 

should  be  clean?  And  he  which  is  born  of  a  woman,  that  he 
should  be  righteous?  Behold  He  putteth  no  trust  in  his 
saints;  yea,  the  heavens  are  not  clean  in  his  sight.  How 
much  more  abominable  and  filthy  is  man,  which  drinketh 
Iniquity  like  water." 

13.  It  is  true  that  men  can  to  a  certain  extent  keep  the  command- 

ments of  God,  that  is  outwardly.  So  the  Scribes  and  Phari- 
sees kept  the  law.  But  what  does  the  Savior  say  of  the 
righteousness  of  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees?  Math.  5,  20. 
"For  I  say  unto  you,  that  except  your  righteousness  shall 
exceed  the  righteousness  of  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees,  ye 
shall  in  no  case  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 

14.  (121)     "Can   then   even    the   regenerated    or    Christians    not    per- 

fectly fulfill  the  law  of  God?"  "No,  for  even  a  Christian  still 
has  evil  desires  within  him  and  therefore  sins  daily." 

15.  Who  are  spoken  of  in  thfs  question?     The  regenerated  or  Chris- 

tians are  spoken  of. 

16.  After  a  man  by  faith  in  the  Savior  becomes  a  Christian  and  is 

made  a  child  of  God,  what  kind  of  a  life  will  he  try  to  lead? 
He  will  try  to  lead  a  godly  life. 


LESSON   32.  105 

17.  Yes,  he  will  try  to  keep  the  commandments  of  God.     But  can  he 

keep  them  perfectly?     He  can  not. 

18.  And  why  can  he  not  keep  the  commandments  of  God  perfectly? 

Because  even  a  Christian  has  evil  desires  within  him  and 
therefore  sins  daily. 

19.  This  is  very  plainly  taught  in  the  Scriptures.     Repeat  the  pas- 

sage Eccl.  7,  20.  "There  is  not  a  just  man  upon  earth  that 
doeth  good  and  sinneth  not." 

20.  How  does  this  represent  all  men  without  a  single  exception?     It 

represents  them  as  sinners. 

21.  We  have  seen  above  that  we  are  by  nature  wicked  and  born  sin- 

ners.    We   are  born  of  sinful   parents,  and  of  course   sinful 
parents   can   have   only  what  kind   of  children?     Sinful    par- 
ents can  have  only  sinful  children. 
22..    Tell  me  this  with  a  scripture  passage.  Job  14,  4.     "Who  can  bring 
a  clean  thing  out  of  an  unclean?  not  one." 

23.  St.  Paul  was  a  true  Christian  and  yet  what  does  he  say  of  him- 

self? Rom.  7,  14.  "We  know  that  the  law  is  spiritual:  but 
I  am  carnal,  sold  under  sin." 

24.  He  was  a  god-fearing  man,  a  man  that  tried  to  do  right  and  yet 

what  does  he  say?  Phil.  3,  12.  "Not  as  though  I  had  al- 
ready attained,  either  were  already  perfect:  but  I  follow  af- 
ter, if  that  I  may  apprehend  that  for  which  also  I  am  appre- 
hended of  Christ  Jesus." 

25.  He   did  not   claim  to   be   perfect,   although   he   tried   to   be.     He 

knew  and  felt  himself  to  be  a  poor  sinner,  as  we  see  from 
Rom.  7,  19.  Turn  to  and  read  the  passage.  "For  the  good 
that  I  would.  I  do  not:  but  the  evil  which  I  would  not,  that 
I  do." 

26.  The  law  of  God  is  one  complete  whole.    He  that  breaks  one  link 

of  a  chain  breaks  the  chain.  He  that  sins  against  one  com- 
mandment, sins  against  the  law.  Tell  me  this  with  a  scrip- 
ture passage.  James  2,  10.  "Whosoever  shall  keep  the 
whole  law,  and  yet  offend  in  one  point,  he  is  guilty  of  all." 

27.  Not  only  is  it  sin  to  do  what  God  has  forbidden,  but  it  Is  just 

as  sinful  not  to  do  what  He  has  commanded.  It  is  just  as 
wrong  not  to  do  good  as  it  is  to  do  evil.  Tell  me  this  with 
a  scripture  passage.  James  4,  17.  "To  him  that  knoweth  to 
do  good,  and  doeth  it  not,  to  him  it  is  sin." 

28.  St.  Paul  was  a  sincere  Christian.     He  tried  to  live  a  godly  life. 

He  was  not  aware  of  doing  any  gross  sin,  and  yet  how  did 
he  feel  about  his  condition  before  God?  Did  he  feel  himself 
to  be  just?  Tell  me  with  the  passage  1  Cor.  4,  4.  "For  I 
know  nothing   by  myself,  yet  am    I    not  thereby  justified." 

29.  Even  although  he  had  a  good  conscience,  yet  he  felt  that  this  did 

not  justify  him  before  God.  As  also  the  Psalmist  says  Ps. 
19,  12.  "Who  can  understand  his  errors?  Cleanse  thou  me 
from  secret  faults." 

30.  And  yet  there  are  people  who  in  their  blindness  imagine  them- 

selves to  be  perfect,  to  have  no  sin.  What  does  the  Word 
of  God  say  of  such?  1  .John  1,  8.  "If  we  say  that  we  have  no 
sin,  we  deceive  ourselves,  and  the  truth   is  not  in  us." 

31.  (122)     "To  what  end,  however,  did  God  then   give  us  the  law?" 

"First,  that  by  it  we  may  know  our  sins,  and  secondly,  that 
from  it  we  may  learn  the  works  that  are  pleasing  to  God." 

32.  What  does  this  question  and  its  answer  tell  us?     It  tells  us  why 

God  gave  us  the  law. 


106  LESSON    32. 

33.  Yes,  it  tells  us  the  object  which  God  had  in  view  in  giving  us  the 

ten  commandments.  What  was  his  first  object  in  giving  the 
law?     That  by  it  we  may  know  our  sins. 

34.  This  we  see  plainly  from  Rom.  3,  20.  Repeat  the  passage.     "By 

the  law  is  the  knowledge  of  sin." 

35.  How  then  do   we  come  to  a  knowledge  of  sin?     We  come  to  a 

knowledge  of  sin  by  the  law. 

36.  The  law  may  be  compared  with  a  mirror.     When  we  look  into  a 

mirror  what  do  we  see?     We  see  ourselves. 

37.  And  if  there  be  any  spot,  blemish  or  wrinkle  on  our  faces  what 

does  the  mirror  show?     It  shows  these  spots  and   wrinkles. 

38.  Now  read  Rom.  7,  7.     "What  shall  we  say  then?  Is  the   law  sin? 

God  forbid.  Nay  I  had  not  known  sin,  but  by  the  law:  for 
I  had  not  known  lust,  except  the  law  had  said,  thou  shalt 
not  covet." 

39.  He  plainly  says:    "I  had  not  known  sin,  but  by  the  law."  With- 

out God's  law  we  never  could  rightly  know  our  sins.  And 
unless  we  know  and  feel  that  we  are  sinners  we  never  would 
feel  that  we  need  a  Savior.  The  law  shows  us  not  only  that 
we  are  sinners  but  it  also  shows  us  the  results  and  conse- 
quences of  sin.  What  has  God  threatened  to  do  with  sin?  He 
has  threatened  to  punish  it. 

40.  And  when  we  learn  this  what  will  we  be  anxious  about?       We 

will  be  anxious  to  escape  this  punishment. 

41.  So  long  as  a  man  thinks  he  is  not  sick  whom  will  he  not  send 

for?     He  will  not  send  for  a  physician. 

42.  The  law  is  like  a  teacher  or  schoolmaster.    It  opens  our  eyes  that 

we  may  see  and  be  alarmed  at  our  sins  and  may  seek  for 
help.  And  in  whom  alone  can  we  find  help  against  sin?  In 
Jesus  Christ  our  Savior. 

43.  This  is  what  the  apostle  means  iu  the  passage.  Gal.  3,  24.  Repeat 

it.  "The  law  was  our  schoolmaster  to  bring  us  unto  Christ, 
that  we  might  be  justified  by  faith." 

44.  This  then  is  the  first  and  foremost  use  of  the  law.     It  prepares 

the  way  for  the  Savior.  But  there  is  another  use  which  it 
serves.  What  is  it?  Tell  me  from  the  second  part  of  the  an- 
swer to  question  122.  "Secondly,  that  from  it  we  may  learn 
the  works  that  are  pleasing  to  God," 

45.  When  we  have  come  to  a  knowledge  of  our  sins,  and  by  true  re- 

pentance and  faith  in  Jesus  Christ  have  obtained  forgive- 
ness, what  kind  of  lives  should  we  be  anxious  to  lead?  We 
should  be  anxious  to  lead  godly  lives. 

46.  What  kind   of  works   should   we   be   anxious   to  do?     We  should 

be  anxious  to  do  good  works. 

47.  Yes,  we  should  be  anxious  to  please  God  who  has  forgiven  our 

sins.  And  where  do  we  learn  what  works  are  pleasing  to 
God?     We  learn  them  from  the  law. 

48.  For  instance  what  can  a  godfearing,  pious  child  do  to  please  God? 

It  can  honor  father  and  mother. 

49.  Where  did  God   say  that  this  pleases  Him?     He  told   us  this   in 

the  fourth  commandment. 

50.  What  did   God  tell  us  in  the  third   commandment?     He   told   us 

to  remember  the  Sabbath  day  and  keep  it  holy. 

51.  How  do  we  know  that  when  we  gladly  hear  and  learn  the  Word 

of  God  this  is  pleasing  to  him?  He  told  us  so  in  the  third 
commandment. 


LESSON   33.  107 

52.  The  law  tells  us   how   we   should  walk  and  please  God.   Repeat 

the   passage    Ps.    119,   9.     "Wherewithal    shall    a   young    man 
cleanse   his  way?   By  taking    heed   thereto    according   to    thy 
word." 

53.  When  we  are  walking  in  the  dark  what  do  we  take  with  us  to 

light  the  way?     We  take  a  lantern  with  us. 

54.  Yes,  and  the  psalmist  calls  God's  Word  such  a  light,  in  Psalm 

119,  105.  Repeat  the  passage.  "Thy  Word  is  a  lamp  unto 
my  feet,  and  a  light  unto  my  path." 

55.  If  a  young  man  should   aslc  what  can  I  do  to  please  God,  what 

answer  is  given  him  in  Ps.  119,  9?  "Wherewithal  shall  a 
young  man  cleanse  his  way?  By  taking  heed  thereto  accord- 
ing to  thy  Word." 

56.  This  is  a  very  important  use  of  the  law.     It  is  a  rule  by  which 

we  may  go.  When  we  live  up  to  this  rule  what  may  we  be 
sure  of?  We  may  be  sure  that  we  are  right  and  that  we 
please  God. 

57.  Then  there  is  still  another  use  of  the  law  which  we  might  men- 

tion. It  also  serves  a  purpose  with  reference  to  the  wicked. 
Why  do  the  wicked,  at  least  outwardly,  keep  from  such  gross 
sins  as  murder  and  theft?  Because  they  are  afraid  of  pun- 
ishment. 

58.  Yes,  and  this  fear  holds  them  in  check,  at  least  to  some  extent. 

The  law  is  a  bar  to  restrain  the  wiclved.  Who  are  held  in 
check  by  the  strong  arm  of  the  law?  The  wicked  are  held 
in  check. 

59.  Good  people  do  what  is  right  even  without  the  law.     But  not  all 

people  are  good.  Civil  government  was  instituted  to  exer- 
cise law  and  preserve  order.  What  is  the  government  sup- 
posed to  do  with  those  who  persist  in  doing  evil?  It  is  sup- 
posed to  punish  them. 

60.  And  the  fear  of  this  punishment  serves  to  protect  life  and  prop- 

erty. Read  what  the  apostle  Paul  writes  Rom.  13,  3.  "For 
rulers  are  not  a  terror  to  good  works  but  to  the  evil.  Wilt 
thou  then  not  be  afraid  of  the  power?  Do  that  which  is  good, 
and  thou  shalt  have  praise  of  the  same.  For  he  is  the  min- 
ister of  God  to  thee  for  good.  But  if  thou  do  that  which  is 
evil,  be  afraid;  for  he  beareth  not  the  sword  in  vain;  for 
he  is  the  minister  of  God,  a  revenger  to  execute  wrath  upon 
him  that  doeth  evil." 


LESSON    33.      SIN. 

(Questions  123-124.) 


1.  We  have  seen  that  the  law  v/as  given  us  that  by  it  we  might  come 

to  a   knowledge  of  sin.     What  is  the  subject  of  our  lesson 
today?     Sin  is  the  subject  of  today's  lesson. 

2.  (123)     "What  is  sin?"     "Sin  is  every  transgression  of  the  divine 

law." 

3.  Who  gave  us  the  law?     God  gave  us  the  law. 

4.  What  do  we  call  the  law  which  God  gave?     We  call  it  the  divine 

law. 

5.  God's  law  is  a  rule.    When  you  want  to  draw  a  straight  line  what 

do  you  use?     I  use  a  ruler. 


108  LESSON    33. 

6.  When   a  carpenter   wants   to  make   sure  of   sawing  a  board  off 

straight  what  does  he  use?     He  uses  a  square. 

7.  When  a  bricklayer  wants  to  make  sure  the  wall  he  is  building 

is  true  what  does  he  use?     He  uses  a  plumb  line. 

8.  When  the  line  you  are  drawing  does  not  agree  with  the  ruler 

what  is  the  matter  with  the  line?     It  is  crooked. 

9.  When  the  wall  does  not  agree  with  the  plumbline,  which  is  wrong? 

The  wall  is  wrong. 

10.  So  God  has  given  us  his  law  as  a  plirmbline  of  life.     When  our 

life,  our  thoughts,  words  and  actions,  do  not  agree  with 
God's  law  what's  the  matter  with  them?     They  are  wrong. 

11.  Yes,  and  this  we  call  sin.     What  does  the  apostle  John  in  his 

first  epistle  chapter  3  verse  4  say  of  sin?  "Sin  is  the  trans- 
gression of  the  law." 

12.  To  transgress  means   to  overstep,  to  go  beyond.     When  a  man 

sins  what  does  he  disregard.     He   disregards   God's   law. 

13.  Yes,  he  acts  as  though  there  were  no  law.     So  we  might  say: 

sin  is  lawlessness.  Read  what  God  said  to  Joshua,  Josh.  1,  7. 
"Only  be  thou  strong  and  very  courageous,  that  thou  mayest 
observe  to  do  according  to  all  the  law,  which  Moses,  my 
servant,  commanded  thee;  turn  not  from  it  to  the  right  hand, 
or  to  the  left,  that  thou  mayest  prosper  whithersoever  thou 
goest." 

14.  God  has  marked  out  the  road  in  which  we  should  walk.  When  a 

man  turns  from  this  way  either  by  doing  what  God  has  for- 
bidden or  by  neglecting  to  do  what  God  has  commanded 
what  do  we  call  such  action?     We  call   it  sin. 

15.  And  notice  that  every  transgi'ession  of  God's  law  is  sin.    No  mat- 

ter how  small  it  may  appear,  how  should  we  regard  every 
thought,  word  and  deed  that  is  contrary  to  God's  law.  We 
should  regard  it  as  sin. 

16.  Whether  it  be  done  from  ignorance  or    wilfully,    what    is    every 

transgression  of  the  divine  law?  Every  transgression  of  the 
divine  law  is  sin. 

17.  God  said  in  the  fifth  commandment:     "Thou  shalt  not  kill,"  how 

did  Cain  disregard  this  commandment?  He  killed  his 
brother  Abel. 

18.  God  said   in   the   sixth   commandment:    "Thou  shalt  not  commit 

adultery."  How  did  David  disregard  this  commandment? 
He  took  the  wife  of  Uriah  and  lived  with  her. 

19.  Yes,  he  acted  as  though  there  were  no  sixth  commandment,  or 

as  though  he  did  not  care  a  straw  what  God  had  said  in  the 
sixth  commandment.  When  Absalom  stirred  up  a  rebellion 
against  his  father  how  did  he  act?  He  acted  as  though  God 
had  not  said:  "Thou  shalt  honor  thy  father  and  thy  mother", 
or  as  though  he  did  not  care  what  God  had  said. 

20.  When  the  Jews   bare  false  witness   against  the   Savior  and  ac- 

cused him  of  blasphemy,  how  did  they  act  with  reference 
to  the  eighth  commandment?  They  disregarded  the  eighth 
commandment. 

21.  Yes,  they  acted  as  though  God  had  never  said:  "Thou  shalt  not 

bear  false  witness  against  thy  neighbor,"  or  as  though  they 
did  not  care  what  God  had  said.  Sin  disregards,  tramples 
under  foot,  breaks  through  and  rebels  against  God's  law. 
Whose  law  is  thus  treated  in  sin?     God's  law,  the  divine  law. 


LESSON    33.  109 

22.  The  Roman  Catholics  think  it  sin  to  eat  meat  on  Friday.  Is  this 

really  sin?     No,  it  is  not. 

23.  Why  not?     Because   God   never  told   us  not  to  eat  meat  on   Fri- 

day. 

24.  The  temperance  fanatics  thinlv  it  a  sin  to  drinlt  beer  or  wine  even 

moderately.     Is  this  really  sin?     It  is  not. 

25.  Why  not?     Because  God  never  forbade  the  moderate  use  of  these 

things. 

26.  Let  us  not  be  deceived.  Nothing    is    sin    except    that    which    is 

against  God's  law.  God  alone  has  a  right  to  say  what  is 
right  or  wrong.  And  where  does  he  tell  us  this?  He  tells 
us  this  in  the  law. 

27.  Only  that  is  sin  which  is  contrary  to  his  will  and  word,  and  ev- 

erything is  sin  that  is  contrary  to  his  will  and  word.  With 
what  words  does  the  Catechism  express  this  in  the  answer  to 
question  123?     "Sin  is  every  transgression  of  the  divine  law." 

28.  (124)     "What  is  the  cause  of  sin?"     "Satan,  who  first  of  his  own 

free  will  turned  away  from  God,  and  the  will  of  man,  who 
freely  permitted  himself  to  be  deceived  by  Satan." 

29.  What  is  the  subject  of  this  question?     The  cause  of  sin. 

30.  This   question   tells   us   where   sin   came   from,   where   it  had  its 

beginning.  When  God  had  finished  the  work  of  creation 
what  judgment  did  he  pronounce  on  all  his  works?  Gen. 
1,  31.  "And  God  saw  everything  that  he  had  made,  and,  be- 
hold  it  was  very  good." 

31.  This   judgment   God    pronounced    on    man    as    well    as    on    every- 

thing else  that  he  had  made.  How  was  everything?  Every- 
thing was  very  good. 

32.  That  is,  it  was  perfect,  there  was  no  fault  to  find   with  it.     So 

there  was  no  sin  in  the  world  when  God  made  it.  But  now 
we  find  sin  and  its  dreadful  consequences  everywhere.  When 
we  see  such  awtul  effects  what  do  we  naturally  look  for? 
We  look  for  the  cause. 

33.  And    this    is    given  us    in  the  answer     to     question     124.     Who 

according  to  this  answer  is  the  first  and  original  cause  of 
sin?     Satan  is  the  first  cause  of  sin. 

34.  This  we  plainly  see  from  1  .Tohn  3,  8.  Repeat  the  passage.     "He 

that  committeth  sin  is  of  the  devil;  for  the  devil  sinneth 
from  the  beginning." 

35.  Who  made  the  beginning  in  sin,  who  was  the  first  to  sin?     The 

first  one  to  sin  was  Satan. 

36.  So  the   Savior  himself  also   says   John   8,   44.   Read   the  passage. 

"Ye  are  of  your  father  the  devil,  and  the  lusts  of  your  father 
will  ye  do:  he  was  a  murderer  from  the  beginning,  and  abode 
not  in  the  truth,  because  there  is  no  truth  in  him.  When 
he  speaketh  a  lie,  he  speaketh  of  his  own:  for  he  is  a  liar, 
and  the  father  of  it." 

37.  What  does  the   Savior  here   say  the   devil   was   from   the   begin- 

ning?    He  was  a  murderer  and  a   liar  from  the  beginning. 

38.  And  what  else  does  he  say  of  him?     He  abode  not  in  the  truth. 

39.  If  he  abode  not  in  the  truth,  what  must  he  have  l)een  before  he 

made  this  change?  He  must  have  been  in  the  truth,  truth- 
ful. 


110  LESSON    34. 

40.  Yes,  God  made  him  pure  and  holy  as  he  made  all  creatures,  but 

what  change  took  place  in  the  devil?  He  abode  not  in  the 
truth,   he  departed  from  the  truth. 

41.  Now  tell  me  from  question  124  in  the  lesson  how  did  Satan  come 

thus  to  turn  away  from  God?  Of  his  own  free  will  he  turned 
away  from  God. 

42.  After  he  himself  had  become  a  sinner  what  did  he  endeavor  to 

do  with  man?     He  tempted  him  to  sin  also. 

43.  Now  read  Gen.  3,  1-7.  Who  was  the  serpent  that  tempted  the  wo- 

man to  sin?     It  was  Satan. 

44.  And  what  was  the  result  of  this  temptation?     The  woman  ate  of 

the  forbidden  fruit  and  gave  her  husband  and  he  ate  also. 

45.  Who  was  the  first  cause  of  this  first  sin?  Satan  was  the  cause. 

46.  But  we  find  in  the  answer  to  question  124  there  is  another  cause 

for  sin  given.  What  is  it?  The  will  of  man  who  freely  per- 
mitted  himself  to   be   deceived   by  Satan. 

47.  When   Satan  tempted  our   first  parents   to   sin  what  might  they 

have  done  instead  of  yielding  to  the  temptation?  They 
might  have  resisted  it. 

48.  Adam  was  In  a  position  to  choose  between  good  and  evil.  When 

he  chose  the  evil  how  was  this  choice  made?  It  was  made 
freely,  of  his  own  free  will. 

49.  Can  a  man  be  compelled  to  do  wrong?     He  can  not. 

50.  No,  he  can  be  tempted,  urged  or  deceived  and  influenced  but  one 

thing  can  not  be  done,  what  is  that?  You  can  not  compel 
a  man  to  sin. 

51.  Whenever  a  man  sins  how  does  he  act,  if  he  does  not  act  from 

compulsion?     He  acts  of  his  own  free  will. 

52.  When  Cain  slew  his  brother  Al)el  did  he  do  this  from  compulsion 

or  from  his  own  free  will?  He  did  it  from  his  own  free  will, 
because  he  wanted  to  do  it. 

53.  Yes,  and  he  did  it  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  God  warned  him  not 

to  do  it.  So  who  was  to  blame  for  this  awful  sin?  Cain  him- 
self was  to  blame. 

54.  Children  whenever  you  do  wrong,  it  is  so  easy  to  put  the  blame 

on  some~one  else.  Upon  whom  did  Adam  put  the  blame  for 
his  sin?  Gen.  3,  12.     He  put  the  blame  on  Eve. 

55.  And  upon  whom  did  Eve  put  the  blame?  Gen.  3,  13.     She  put  the 

blame  on  the  serpent. 

56.  But  who  was  really  to  blame  for  the  fact  that  they  had  sinned? 

They  themselves  were  to  blame. 

57.  And  so  we  are  always  to  blame,  it  is  our  own  fault  when  we  sin. 

For  if  we  had  not  consented  we  could  not  have  been  com- 
pelled to  sin.  What  then  is  the  second  cause  of  sin  accord- 
ing to  question  124?     The  will  of  man. 

58.  When  a  man  sins  he  does  so  not  because  he  must,  but  why?     Be- 

cause he  wants  to.  Because   it  is  his  own  free  will. 


LESSON  34.     ORIGINAL  SIN. 

(Questions  125-127.) 

1.  (125)     "Of  how  many  kinds  is  sin?"     "Two:  Original  and  actual." 

2.  (126)     "What  is  original  sin?"     "It  is  the  utter  depravity  of  the 

whole   human    nature,  which,  since   the  fall    of  Adam,   is   in- 
born   in   all   men." 


LESSON    34.  Ill 

3.  What  is  the  subject  of  our  lesson?     Original  sin  is  the  subject. 

4.  What  does  this   question   126   tell  us?     It  tells   us   what   original 

sin  is. 

5.  Yes,  it  gives  us  a  definition  of  original  sin.  What  does  this  an- 

swer say  of  the  moral  condition  of  human  nature?  It  says 
that  human  nature  is  depraved. 

6.  When  a  thing  is  depraved  it  is  no  longer  good  but  how  is  it?  It 

is  bad. 

7.  In  what  moral  condition  was  man  when  God  first  made  him?     He 

was  good,  perfect. 

8.  But  what  change  took  place  with  man?     He  fell  away  from  God 

and  became  sinful. 

9.  Through  this  fall  into   sin   there   was   an   awful   change  wrought 

in  the  nature  of  man.  He  became  depraved,  that  is  his  na- 
ture was  spoiled.  Sin  is  not  something  which  only  clings 
to  man  outwardly,  but  how  does  it  affect  him?  It  goes  all 
through  him. 

10.  What  does   it  affect   according  to   question   126?     It    affects    his 

whole  nature. 

11.  Yes,  his  body  as  well  as  his  soul  are  no  longer  what  they  were 

at  first.  When  an  apple  has  a  rotten  spot  what  can  you  do 
with  it?     We  can  cut  out  the  rotten  spot  and  use  the  rest. 

12.  But  human  nature  is   not   like   this.     There   are   not  only   a  few 

bad  habits,  which  might  be  corrected  and  then  man  would 
be  all  right.  When  an  egg  is  spoiled  the  badness  is  not  in 
spots,  but  what  would  you  say  of  a  bad  egg?  It  is  bad  all 
through,  there  is  nothing  good  about  it. 

13.  Therefore  the   Catechism  says  not  a  part  but  the  whole  human 

nature  is  depraved.  What  does  St.  Paul  say  of  himself  Rom. 
7,  18?  "For  I  know  that  in  me  (that  is  in  my  flesh)  dwelleth 
no  good  thing." 

14.  And  what  kind  of  a  depravity  is  this  called  in  our  answer  126? 

It  is  called  the  "utter  depravity." 

15.  That  means  that  human  nature  is  so  bad  that  it  can  not  well  be 

worse.  No  amount  of  patching  or  reformation  will  save  it. 
If  man  is  to  be  saved  he  must  be  made  new,  as  the  Savior 
himself  says  John  3,  5.6.  Let  us  hear  the  passage.  "Except 
a  man  be  born  again  of  water  and  of  the  Spirit,  he  can  not 
enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God.  That  which  is  born  of  the 
flesh  is  flesh." 

16.  This  depravity  is  so  bad  that  the  scriptures  compare  it  with  death. 

Read  the  passage  Eph.  2,  1.  "You  were  dead  in  trespasses 
and  sins." 

17.  Nothing  but  the  power  of  God  can  help  a  dead  man.     Now  tell 

me  from  our  question  126  since  when  is  human  nature  so 
depraved?     Since  the  fall   of  Adam. 

18.  Tell  me  with  a  scripture  passage  that  by  the  sin  of  one  man  all 

men  became  sinful.  Rom.  5,  12.  "As  by  one  man  sin  entered 
into  the  world,  and  death  by  sin;  and  so  death  passed  upon 
all  men,  for  that  all  have  sinned." 

19.  Why  has  dea.tb   passed  upon  all  men?     Because  all   have  sinned. 

20.  Yes,  just  as  certain  as  all  men  are  mortal  so  sure  are  they  all 

sinful.  For  how  did  death  come  into  the  world?  Death 
came  m*-r  ^l-«»  world  through  «'» 


112 


LESSON    34. 


21.  The  scripture  passage  Rom.  3,  22.  23  tells  us  that  in  this  respect 

there  is  no  difference  among  men.  Repeat  it.  "There  is  no 
difference:  for  all  have  sinned,  and  come  short  of  the  glory 
of  God." 

22.  There   are    many    differences    among   men    as   to   their    age,   sex, 

nationality,  race,  color,  social  standing,  wealth  and  education, 
but  in  one  respect  they  are  all  alike.  Can  you  tell  me  how? 
They  are  all  sinful. 

23.  Yes,  human  nature  is  the  same  the  world  over.  It  is  steeped  in 

sin.  Therefore  we  hear  even  such  a  pious  man  as  David 
make  what  kind  of  a  confession  of  himself  in  Ps.  51,  5.  "Be- 
hold I  wa.s  shapen  in  Iniquity;  and  in  sin  did  my  mother 
conceive  me." 

24.  This   wickedness   is   natural   to   all  men   since  the  fall   of  Adam. 

Now  tell  me  from  our  question  126,  how  does  this  depravity 
get  into  all  men?     It  is  inborn  in  all  men. 

25.  How  does  David  say  he  became  sinful?     He  says,  "I  was  shapen 

in    iniquity  and   in   sin   did   my  mother  conceive   me." 

26.  It  is  a  mistake  to  think  that  we  only  learn  sin  by  imitating  the 

bad  example  of  others.  How  do  we  get  to  be  sinners?  We 
are  born  sinners. 

27.  There  are  certain  diseases  which  are  so  dreadful  that  they  pass 

from  parents  to  children.  When  a  child  suffers  from  such 
a  disease,  what  do  we  say  as  to  how  it  got  the  disease? 
We  say,  it  inherited  the  disease. 

28.  Yes,  and  so  what  can  we  say  of  this  spiritual  disease  of  sin?     We 

can  say  that  we  inherited  it. 

29.  From  whom  did  we  inherit  sin?     We   inherited   it  from  our  par- 

ents. 

3*0.  And  from  whom  did  they  inherit  it?  They  inherited  it  from  their 
parents. 

31  Yes,  and  so  on  back  from  one  generation  to  another.  How  far 
back  does  this  sinfulness  of  human  nature  go?  It  goes  back 
to  the  fall  of  Adam. 

32.  What  is  this  sin  called  I)ecause  it  goes  back  to  the  very  origin  of 

our  race?     It  is  called  original  sin. 

33.  Why  might  we  also  call  it  the  sin  of  inheritance  or  inherited  sin? 

Because  we  have  inherited  it. 

34.  (127)     "Wherein    does    this    depravity   chiefly    consist?"   "In    this 

that  we  have  lost  the  image  of  God  and,  consequently,  that 
our  reason   is  darkened  and  our  will   perverted." 

35.  In  this  answer  we  have  a  fuller  description   of  the  results  and 

consequences  of  original  sin.  What  is  here  mentioned  as  the 
first  result  of  this  sinfulness  of  our  nature?  We  have  lost 
the  image  of  God. 

36.  In  what  respect  was  man  like  God,  when  he  was  first  created? 

He  was  pure,  holy,  perfect. 

37.  What  became  of  this  image  or  likeness  of  God?     It  was  lost. 

38.  In  what  respect  is  man  no  longer  like  God  since  the  fall?     He  is 

no  longer  holy,  pure,  perfect. 

39.  Now   tell  me   from   question   127  what  effect   had   this  fall   upon 

the  reason  of  man?     Our  reason  is  darkened. 


LESSON    34.  113 

40.  By  reason  we  here  mean  the  understanding  of  man,  his  power 

to  think  and  l^now.  What  does  the  apostle  say  of  the  new 
man,  Col.  3,  10?  "Put  on  the  new  man,  which  is  renewed  in 
knowledge  after  the  image  of  him  that  created  him." 

41.  We  must   be   renewed   in  knowledge   because   our  knowledge   of 

divine  things  is  darkened  on  account  of  original  sin.  We 
can  not  understand  what  is  necessary  to  salvation.  The 
things  of  this  world  we  may  understand  well  enough,  but 
what  does  the  apostle  say  in  1  Cor.  2,  14  of  the  things  of 
the  Spirit  of  God?  "The  natural  man  receiveth  not  the 
things  of  the  Spirit  of  God:  for  they  are  foolishness  unto 
him:  neither  can  he  know  them,  because  they  are  spiritually 
discerned." 

42.  Man  is   naturally   blind   m   spiritual   matters.     How   do   all   these 

things  appear  to  him?     They  are  foolishness  to  him. 

43.  What  does  the  apostle  say  of  the  Gentiles,  that  is  of  the  heathen, 

Eph.  4,  18?  "Having  their  understanding  darkened,  being 
alienated  from  the  life  of  God  through  the  ignorance  that  is 
in  them,  because  of  the  blindness  of  their  heart." 

44.  The  understanding  of  man  is  darkened,  he  is  ignorant  when  it 

comes  to  divine  things,  his  heart  is  blind.  He  does  not  and 
can  not  see  what  is  for  his  own  good.  He  can  not  know 
God  and  the  way  of  salvation.  Man,  if  left  to  himself,  would 
never  come  to  a  true  knowledge  of  God  and  divine  things. 
Even  the  most  educated  and  refined  among  the  heathen, 
such  as  the  Hindoos  and  Chinese,  have  very  wrong  and  cor- 
rupt ideas  of  God.  How  do  they  show  this?  They  make  and 
worship  idols. 

45.  Other  heathen  nations  worship  the  sun  as  god  or  animals?  What 

does  this  show  as  to  their  knowledge  of  God  and  divine 
things?     It  shows  that  their  knowledge  is  corrupt. 

46.  When  a  poor  heathen  mother  throws  her  babe  into  the  jaws  of 

the  crockodile,  why  does  she  do  this?  She  does  it  to  satisfy 
her  false  god. 

47.  Yes,  she  wants  to  insure  her  own  salvation  and  the  salvation  of 

her  child.  What  does  this  show  that  she  is  ignorant  of?  It 
shows  that  she  is  ignorant  of  the  way  of  salvation. 

48.  How  did  the  priests  of  Baal  try  to  secure  the  attention  and  favor 

of  their  god,  when  Elijah  challenged  them  to  a  trial  of  their 
faith  on  Mt.  Carmel?  1  Kings  18,  28.  "They  cried  aloud  and 
cut  themselves  after  their  manner  with  knives  and  lancets, 
till  the  blood  gushed  out  upon  them." 

49.  This   shows  how  utterly  ignorant  the  natural   man  is   in  divine 

things.  Let  us  not  forget,  however,  that  by  nature  none  of 
us  are  any  better.  If  we  had  nothing  but  what  nature 
teaches  u's,  we  would  be  just  as  ignorant  as  the  heathen  are. 
But  this  sinfulness  of  our  nature  has  not  only  darkened  our 
reason,  but  what  effect  has  it  upon  our  will?  Question  127 
tells  us.     Our  will   is  perverted. 

50.  Before  the  fall,  man  not  only  knew  God  but  delighted  in  doing 

His  will.     In  what  kind  of  things  did  he  take  pleasure?     He 
took  pleasure  in  doing  what  is  right, 
8 


114  LESSON    35. 

51.  Yes,  he  not  only  had  a  correct  knowledge  of  God,  but  he  loved 

Him  and  took  pleasure  in  doing  His  will.  He  was  the  inti- 
mate friend  of  God.  But  how  does  the  apostle  describe  the 
condition  of  man  since  the  fall  in  Rom.  8,  7?  "The  carnal 
mind  is  enmity  against  God:  for  it  is  not  subject  to  the  law 
of  God,  neither  indeed  can  be." 

52.  Men  are  now  naturally  not  the  friends  of  God  but  in  what  rela- 

tion do  they  stand  to  Him?     They  are  His  enemies. 

53.  They  do  not  love  Him,  but  how  do  they  regard  Him?     They  hate 

Him. 

54.  As  soon  as  man  had  sinned  he  fled  from  God  and  hid  himself. 

He  had  no  pleasure  in  meeting  God  but  wanted  to  get  away 
from  Him.  Since  the  fall  it  is  natural  for  man  to  sin,  just 
as  natural  as  it  is  for  a  field  to  toing  forth  weeds.  When  a 
field  is  left  to  lie  uncultivated  what  will  it  bring  forth?  It 
will  bring  forth  weeds. 

55.  So  the  heart  of  man,  if  left  to  do  what  it  delights  in,  what  will 

it  bring  forth?     It  will  bring  forth  wickedness. 

56.  At  creation  man's  will  was  good,  now  it  is  bad.     How  does  the 

Catechism,  in  question  127,  describe  this  change?  Man's  will 
is  perverted. 

57.  That  is,  it  is  changed  for  the  worse.     It  is  turned  in  the  wrong 

direction.  And  how  was  this  awful  change  brought  about? 
It  was  brought  about  by  the  fall. 

58.  Let  us  remember  that  this  is  the  condition  of  every  one  of  us  by 

nature.  We  are  all  naturally  ignorant  in  spiritual  and  divine 
things,  we  are  all  naturally  at  enmity  with  God  and  have  no 
pleasure  in  doing  his  holy  will,  as  David  says,  Ps.  51,  6.  Re- 
peat the  passage.  "Behold  I  was  shapen  in  iniquity  and  in 
sin  did  my  mother  conceive  me." 


LESSON    35.      ACTUAL    SIN. 

(Question  128.) 

What  was  the  subject  of  our  last  lesson?  The  subject  of  our  last 
lesson  was  original  sin. 

What  is  the  subject  of  today's  lesson?  The  subject  of  today's 
lesson  is  actual  sin. 

(128)  "What  is  actual  sin?"  "All  that  is  done  contrary  to  the 
ten  commandments  in  thought,  word  and  deed." 

Original  sin  and  actual  sin  are  related  to  each  other  like  cause 
and  effect.  If  we  compare  original  sin  with  a  spring  of  wa- 
ter, then  what  would  actual  sin  be  like?  Like  the  stream 
that  flows  out  of  the  spring. 

If  we  compare  original  sin  with  the  root  of  a  plant,  then  what 
would  actual  sin  be  like?  It  would  be  like  the  plant  that 
grows  out  of  the  root. 

If  we  compare  original  sin  with  a  fruit  tree,  then  what  would 
actual  sin  be  like?     Like  the  fruit  that  grows  on  the  tree. 

Original  sin  is  the  sinful  state  or  condition  of  human  nature  since 
the  fall.  It  is  not  something  which  we  do,  but  something 
which  is  inborn  in  us.  But  what  is  actual  sin?  Tell  me  by 
repeating  the  first  four  words  of  the  answer  to  question  128. 
"All  that  is  done." 


LESSON    35.  115 

8.  Actual   sin   is   not   something  which    is   inborn   in   ns,   l)ut   rather 

what  is  it?     Something  which  we  do  ourselves. 

9.  Yes,  the  very  name  "actual  sin"  indicates  this.     From  what  word 

is  the  term  "actual"  taken?     It  is  taken  from  the  word  "act." 

10.  The  word  "actual"  here  does  not  mean  "real,"  for  original  sin  is 

just  as  really  sin  as  actual  sin.  But  what  does  the  name 
"actual"  here  mean?     It  means  what  we  do. 

11.  Yes,  it  is  sin  in  which  we  are  the  actors.     And  how  does  this 

question  128  further  describe  actual  sin?  Actual  sin  is  not 
only  all  that  we  do  but  what  is  added?  All  that  we  (to  con- 
trary to  the  ten  commandments. 

12.  What  are  the  ten  commandments?     The  ten  commandments  are 

the  sum  of  the  divine  law. 

13.  Yes,  in  these     commandments    God    tells     us    what  is  right  and 

wrong.     And   how   must  we  regard   everything   that   is    con- 
trary to  these  commandments?     We  must  regard  it  as  sin. 

14.  Every  time  we  think,  say  or  do  anything  contrary  to  the  ten  com- 

mandments we  sin.  Why  was  it  a  sin  when  Cain  killed  his 
brother  Abel?  Because  it  was  against  the  fifth  command- 
ment. 

15.  Why  was  it  a  sin  when  David  took  the  wife  of  Uriah  to  be  his 

wife?     Because   it  was   against  the   sixth   commandment. 

16.  Judas  was  the  treasurer  of  the  diciples,  but  was  a  thief  and  stole 

some  of  the  money  entrusted  to  him.  Why  was  this  a  sin? 
Because  it  was  contrary  to  the  seventh  commandment. 

17.  Why  was  it  a  sin  for  the  Jews  to  accuse  the  Savior  of  being  a 

blasphemer  and  a  rebel?  Because  it  was  against  the  eighth 
commandment. 

18.  Why  was  it  a  sin  for  Absalom  to  stir  up  a  rebellion  against  his 

father  David?  Because  it  was  contrary  to  the  fourth  com- 
mandment. 

19.  Why  was   it  a   sin   for   the   Israelites   to   make   and   worship   the 

golden  calf  in  the  wilderness?  Because  it  was  against  the 
first  commandment. 

20.  In    what    different    ways    is    actual    sin    committed,    according    to 

Question  128?     It  is  committed  in  thought,  word  and  deed. 

21.  Then  what  kind  of  thoughts  are  sinful?     Thoughts  that  are  con- 

trary to  the  ten  commandments. 

22.  In  Math.  15,  19  the  Savior  speaks  of  such  thoughts.     Repeat  the 

passage.  "For  out  of  the  heart  proceed  evil  thoughts,  mur- 
ders, adulteries,  fornications,  thefts,  false  witness,  blas- 
phemies." 

23.  Out  of  our  evil     hearts     arise     what     kind     of     thoughts?     Evil 

thoughts. 

24.  Yes,  and  these  evil  thoughts  are  sinful,  even  before  they  lead  to 

sinful  words  and  acts.  These  evil  thoughts  are  also  called 
evil  desires.  Which  two  commandments  treat  especially  of 
such  evil  thoughts  and  desires?  The  ninth  and  tenth  com- 
mandments. 

25.  Do  not  imagine,  children,  that  only  words  and  actions  are  sinful. 

God  does  not  only  take  note  of  what  we  say  and  do,  but 
even  of  what  does  he  take  note?  He  also  takes  note  of  what 
we  think. 

26.  Read  what  the  Savior  says  in  the  20th  verse  of  tlie  chapter  above 

quoted.  "These  are  the  things  which  defile  a  man." 


116  LESSON    35. 

27.  Yes,  these  evil  thoughts  make  a  man  unclean  and  sinful  before 

God.  Read  what  is  written  in  1  Sam,  16,  7,  the  second  half  of 
the  verse.  "For  the  Lord  seeth  not  as  man  seeth;  for  man 
looketh  on  the  outward  appearance,  but  the  Lord  looketh  on 
the  heart." 

28.  Next  to  sinful  thoughts,  what  does  the  Catechism  class  among  ac- 

tual sins?     Sinful  words. 

29.  What  kind  of  words  are  sinful  according  to  question  128?     Words 

that  are  contrary  to  the  ten  commandments. 

30.  Such  words   are  spoken  of  in  Math.   12,   36.     Read   the   passage. 

"But  I  say  unto  you,  that  every  idle  word  that  men  shall 
speak,  they  shall  give  account  thereof  in  the  day  of  judg- 
ment." 

31.  Read  also  what  is  written  .Tames  1,  26.     "If  any  man  among  you 

seem  to  be  religious,  and  bridleth  not  his  tongue,  but  de- 
ceiveth  his  own  heart,  this  man's  religion  is  vain." 

32.  Read  also  what  the  same  apostle  writes,  .Tames  3,  5-6.     "Even  so 

the  tongue  is  a  little  member,  and  boasteth  great  things.  Be- 
hold how  great  a  matter  a  little  fire  kindleth!  And  the 
tongue  is  a  fire,  a  world  of  iniquity:  so  is  the  tongue  among 
our  members,  that  it  defileth  the  whole  body,  and  setteth  on 
fire  the  course  of  nature;   and   it  is  set  on  fire  of  hell." 

33.  Such  sins  with  the  tongue  are  committed  when  men  curse,  swear, 

use  witchcraft,  lie  or  deceive  by  the  name  of  God.  Such  words 
are  contrary  to  which  commandment?  They  are  contrary  to 
the  second  commandment. 

34.  Men   also   sin   with   the   tongue  when   they   deceitfully   belie,   be- 

tray, slander  or  defame  their  neighbors.  These  sins  are  con- 
trary to  which  commandment?  They  are  contrary  to  the 
eighth  commandment. 

35.  Actual  sins  however  are  committed  not  only  by  sinful  thoughts 

and  words,  but  in  what  other  way?     By  sinful  deeds  also. 

36.  When  the  children  of  Israel  worshipped   the  golden   calf  in  the 

wilderness,  what  kind  of  an  act  was  this?     It  was  a  sinful  act. 

37.  And  why  was   it  a  sinful  act?     Because   it  was  contrary  to  the 

first  commandment. 

38.  Why  is  it  sinful  for  men   to  despise   preaching  and   God's   word 

and  make  the  Lord's  day  a  day  of  carousal  or  profit?  Be- 
cause  it  is  contrary  to  the  third  commandment. 

39.  We  have  seen  in   considering  the  different  commandments   that 

God  not  only  forbids  certain  things,  but  that  he  commands 
the  opposite.  It  is  sinful  to  do  what  God  has  forbidden,  but 
what  is  just  as  sinful?  It  is  just  as  sinful  not  to  do  what  He 
has  commanded. 

40.  Read  what  is  written  James  4,  17.     "Therefore  to  him  that  know- 

eth  to  do  good,  and  doeth  it  not,  to  him  it  is  sin." 

41.  When  a  man  does  what  is  forbidden  we  call  his  sin  one  of  com- 

mission, he  commits  a  sin.  What  then  would  we  call  his  sin, 
if  he  omits  to  do  what  is  commanded?  We  would  call  it  a 
sin  of  omission. 

42.  Read  the  passage,  Luke  12,  47.  48.  "That  servant  which  knew  his 

Lord's  will,  and  prepared  not  himself,  neither  did  accord- 
ing to  his  will,  shall  be  beaten  with  many  stripes.  But  he 
that  knew  not,  and  did  commit  things  worthy  of  stripes, 
shall  be  beaten  with  few  stripes.  For  unto  whomsoever  much 
is  given,  of  him  shall  be  much  required;  and  to  whom  men 
have  committed   much,   of   him   they  will   ask  the   more." 


LESSON    35.  117 

43.  What  is  the  difference  between  the  sins  of  the  two  servants  here 

spoken  of?  The  one  knew  his  masters  will  and  the  other 
did  not. 

44.  Because   the  one   knew   he   was   doing  wrong,   how    did   he   sin? 

He  sinned  knowingly. 

45.  And  how  did  he  sin  who  was  ignorant  of  his  master's  will?     He 

sinned   ignorantly. 

46.  Read  in  this  connection  Ps.  19,  12.     "Who  can  understand  his  er- 

rors?    Cleanse  thou  me  from  secret  faults." 

47.  Now  read  Rom.  6,  12.     "Let  not  sin  therefore  reign  in  your  mor- 

tal body,  that  ye  should  obey  it  in  the  lusts  thereof." 

48.  The  apostle  here  speaks  of  sins  that  reign  over  men.    There  are 

sins  that  make  slaves  of  men.  Such  sins  we  call  vices.  They 
hold  men  as  with  an  iron  grip.  Can  you  mention  any  such 
sin?     The  sin  of  drunkenness. 

49.  Yes,  or  the  sin  of  avarice,  or  sexual  uncleanness.     These  sins  so 

completely  overpower  men,  that  they  are  like  slaves.  This 
is  what  the  Savior  means  in  John  8,  34.  Read  the  passage. 
"Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  whosoever  commiteth  sin  is 
the  servant  of  sin." 

50.  Because   men   give    themselves   over    to    the    uncontrolled    indul- 

gence of  their  sinful  appetites  and  lusts  what  does  the  Sav- 
ior call  them?     He  calls  them  the  servants  of  sin. 

51.  In  Math.  12,  31,  the  Savior  speaks  of  a  specially  terrible  sin.    Let 

us  hear  the  passage.  "Wherefore  I  say  unto  you,  all  manner 
of  sin  and  blasphemy  shall  be  forgiven  unto  men:  but  the 
blasphemy  against  the  Holy  Ghost  shall  not  be  forgiven  unto 
men." 

52.  What   specially    awful    sin   does    the    Savior  here   speak   of?     He 

speaks  of  the  sin  against  the  Holy  Ghost. 

53.  And  what  does  he  say  of  ihis   sin?     This   sin   shall    not   be  for- 

given unto  men. 

54.  The  same  terrible  sin  is  spoken  of  in  Heb.  6,  4-7.     "For  it  is  im- 

possible for  those  who  were  once  enlightened,  and  have 
tasted  of  the  heavenly  gift,  and  were  made  partakers  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  and  have  tasted  the  good  word  of  God,  and 
the  powers  of  the  world  to  come,  if  they  shall  fall  away,  to 
renew  them  again  unto  repentance;  seeing  they  crucify  to 
themselves  the  Son  of  God  afresh  and  put  him  to  an  open 
shame.  For  the  earth  which  drinketh  in  the  rain  that  com- 
eth  oft  upon  it,  and  bringeth  forth  herbs  meet  for  them  by 
whom  it  is  dressed,  receiveth  blessing  from  God:  but  that 
which  beareth  thorns  and  briars  is  rejected,  and  is  nigh  un- 
to cursing;   whose  end  is  to  be  burned." 

55.  The  Savior  often  preached  to  the  Jews.     They  knew  the  truth, 

but  refused  to  accept  it.  They  wilfully  resisted  the  Holy 
Ghost.  This  wilful  resistance  to  the  known  truth,  if  kept 
up  to  the  bitter  end,  is  the  sin  against  the  Holy  Ghost.  And 
what  does  the  Savior  say  of  this  sin?  He  says,  it  can  not 
be  forgiven. 

56.  Yes,  when  a  man  dies  resisting  the  truth  and  blaspheming  the 

Spirit  of  God,  instead  of  submitting  to  his  blessed  influ- 
ence, there  is  no  hope  for  that  man.  What  does  the  Savior 
say  of  him  who  believeth  not,  who  dies  in  unbelief?  He 
that  believeth  not  shall  be  damned. 


118  LESSON    36. 

57.  Many    anxious    souls    are   afraid    they    have    committed    the    sin 

against  the  Holy  Ghost.  But  the  very  fact  that  they  worry 
over  their  salvation,  and  are  troubled  on  account  of  their 
sins,  is  proof  that  they  have  not  committed  this  sin.  They 
are  not  hardened  in  sin,  but  how  do  Ihey  feel  about  it? 
They  are  troubled  about  it. 

58.  Yes,  and  this  is  the  first  step  toward  true  repentance:   sorrow  for 

sin.  What  has  God  promised  those  who  repent  of  their  sins? 
He  has  promised  to  forgive  them  their  sins. 

59.  But  when  a  man,  like  wicked  King  Pharaoh,  resists  the  truth  10 

the  bitter  end,  what  hope  is  there  for  him?  There  is  no 
hope  for  him. 


LESSON   36.     THE  CONSEQUENCE  OF  SIN. 

(Questions  129-131.) 

1.  (129)     "What  is  the  consequence  of  sin-"  "God    is  thereby  most 

deeply  offended  and  moved  to  temporal  and  eternal  punish- 
ment." 

2.  We  have  seen  that  sin  is  every  transgression  of  the  divine  law. 

Now,  what  are  we  to  consider  today?  We  are  to  consider 
the  consequence  of  sin. 

3.  What  does  our  answer  to   question    129   say  as  to   how  God  re- 

gards sin?     God  is  thereby  most  deeply  offended. 

4.  This  we  see  from  Ps.  5,  4.     Repeat  the  passage.     "Thou  art  not 

a  God  that  hath  pleasure  in  wickedness:  neither  shall  evil 
dwell   with  Thee." 

5.  In  what  has  God  no  pleasure?     He   has   no   pleasure   in   wicked- 

ness. 

6.  What  must  he  be,  who  would  have  pleasure  in  wickedness?     He 

must   be  wicked   himself. 

7.  God  however  is  not  wicked,  that  is  sinful,  but  what  is  he?     He 

is  holy. 

8.  Now   turn   to   Ps.   7,   11,   and   read   what   is   there   written.     "God 

judgeth  the  righteous,  and  God  is  angry  with  the  wicked 
every  day." 

9.  Because  God  is  holy,  how  does  sin  affect  him?     It  offends  him. 

10.  Yes,  it  is  contrary  to  his  very  being.    God  and  sin  have  no  more 

in  common  than  fire  and  water,  than  light  and  darkness. 
Now  repeat  Eph.  2,  3.  "We  all  were  by  nature  the  children 
of  wrath,  even  as  others." 

11.  Why  is  God  angry  with  us?     On  account  of  sin. 

12.  Read  Eph.   5,  6.  "Let  no   man   deceive  you  with   vain  words:   for 

because  of  these  things  cometh  the  wrath  of  God  upon  the 
children  of  disobedience." 

13.  And  again  Rom.  1.  IS.     "For  the  wrath  of  God  is  revealed  from 

heaven  against  all  ungodliness  and  unrighteousness  of  men, 
who    hold  the  truth   in   unrighteousness." 

14.  On   this   account  how   should   we   regard   sin?     Give   me   the   an- 

swer by  repeating  Prov.  14,  34.  "Sin  is  a  reproach  to  any 
people." 


LESSON    36.  119 

15.  God  cannot  birt  hate  sin.    It  is  rebellion  against  his  authority.    It 

is  an  insult  to  his  dignity.  It  is  ingratitude  toward  his  good- 
ness. But  sin  not  only  most  deeply  offends  God  but,  ac- 
cording to  our  answer  129,  to  what  does  it  move  him?  It 
moves  him  to  temporal  and  eternal  punishment. 

16.  God  is  not  only  holy,  but  he  is  just.     And  what  does  his  justice 

prompt  him  to  do  with  sin?     It  prompts  him  to  punish  sin. 

17.  What  does  God  say  on  this  subject  in  the  conclusion  to  the  ten 

commandments?  "He  says  thus:  I,  the  Lord,  thy  God,  am 
a  jealous  God,  visiting  the  iniquity  of  the  fathers  upon  the 
children  unto  the  third  and  fourth  generation  of  them  that 
hate  me." 

18.  What  does  God  in  these  words  threaten?     He  threatens  to   pun- 

ish all  those  who  transgress  these  commandments. 

19.  What   kind    of   punishment    is    spoken    of    in    this    question    129? 

Temporal   and   eternal    punishment. 

20.  Temporal  punishment  means  punishment  here  in  this  world.     Let 

us  see  how  God  punishes  sin  in  this  world.  Drunkenness 
and  gluttony  are  sins.  Now  read  what  God  says  of  these 
sins  in  Prov.  23,  20.  21.  "Be  not  among  winebibbers;  among 
riotous  eaters  of  flesh:  for  the  drunkard  and  the  glutton  shall 
come  to  poverty:  and  drowsiness  shall  clothe  a  man  with 
rags." 

21.  Poverty,  sickness,   pain  and  death  are   the  result  of  sin   in  this 

world.  But  God  often  visits  special  sins  with  special  pun- 
ishments. How  did  he  once  punish  the  whole  world  on  ac- 
count of  sin?  By  the  flood  He  destroyed  the  whole  world  on 
account  of  sin. 

22.  How   did    he   once   punish    two    specially  wicked    cities?     He   de- 

stroyed Sodom  and  Gomorrah   by  fire  from   heaven. 

23.  But  God's  punishment  of  sin  is  not  only  temoral,  but  what  else 

is  said  of  this  punishment  in  question  129?     It  is  eternal. 

24.  God  not  only  punishes  sin  in  this  world,  but  in  the  world  to  come. 

When  the  rich  man,  who  lived  a  life  of  selfishness  and  sin 
died,  what  became  of  him  nfter  death?  Luke  16,  22-24.  He 
was  in  hell  and  in  torment 

25.  What  will  the  Savior,  as  the  righteous  judge,  say  to  the  wicked 

on  the  last  day?  Math.  25,  41.  "Then  shall  he  say  unto 
them  on  the  left  hand,  depart  from  me,  ye  cursed,  into  ever- 
lasting fire,  prepared  for  the  devil  and  his  angels." 

26.  And  what  is  said  of  the  wicked  in  the  same  chapter  verse  46? 

"And  these   shall    go  away   into   everlasting    punishment." 

27.  These  are  the  dreadful  consequences  of  sin.     We  are  all  not  only 

by  nature  sinful,  but  we  have  by  actual  sins  in  thoughts, 
words  and  deeds  grieved  and  offended  God.  Then  what 
have  we  deserved  with  our  sins?  We  have  deserved  God's 
wrath,  temporal   and  eternal   punishment. 

28.  Yes,  children,  think  of  it  what  an  awful  thing  sin  is,  what  an  aw- 

ful thing  it  is  to  offend  God,  to  provoke  him  to  wrath  and 
deserve  his  punishment.  When  we  are  in  great  danger  what 
do  we  look  for?     We  look  for  a  way  of  escape. 

29.  If  you  were  in  a  burning  building,  what  would  you  look  for?     I 

would  look  for  the  fire  escape. 

30.  If  you'  were  on  a  sinking  ship,  what  would  you  look  for?     I  would 

would  look  for  a  life-preserver  or  a  life-boat. 


120  LESSON    36. 

31.  (130)     "How  can  we  escape  the  wrath  and  punishment  of  God?" 

"Only  by  this,  that  we  obtain  forgiveness'  of  sin  from   God." 

32.  From  this  we  see  that  there  is  a  way  of  escape  from  the  conse- 

quences of  sin.  What  is  this  way?  That  we  obtain  forgive- 
ness  of  sin   from    God. 

33.  Is  there  any  other  way  of  escape?     No,  there  is  not. 

34.  If  sin  is  not  to  be  punished,  what  must  be  done  with  it?     It  must 

be  forgiven. 

35.  And  if  it  is  not  forgiven,  what  will  be  done  with  it?     It  will  be 

punished. 

36.  That  only  he  can  be  happy,  whose  sins  are  forgiven,  we  see  from 

Ps.  32,  1.  2.  "Blessed  is  he  whose  transgression  is  forgiven, 
whose  sin  is  covered.  Blessed  is  the  man  unto  whom  the  Lord 
imputeth  not  iniquity,  and  in  whose  spirit  there  is  no  guile." 

37.  God  is  merciful  as  we  see  from  Ex.  34,  6.     "The   Lord,  the  Lord 

God,  merciful  and  gracious,  long-suffering,  and  abundant  in 
goodness   and  truth." 

38.  What  do  we  read  concerning  God  in  the  130th  Psalm,  verse  4? 

"But  there  is  forgiveness  with  thee  that  thou  mayest  be 
feared." 

39.  So   also  the  prophet  Micah   describes   God,   chapter   7.   verse   18. 

"Who  is  a  God  like  unto  Thee,  that  pardoneth  iniquity,  and 
passeth  by  the  transgression  of  the  remnant  of  his  heritage? 
He  retaineth  not  his  anger  forever,  because  he  delighteth  in 
mercy." 

40.  From  whom  must  this  forgiveness  of  sin  be  obtained?     It   must 

be  obtained  from  God. 

41.  Against  him  we  have  sinned   and  he  alone  can  forgive.     So  we 

read  Isa.  43,  2.5.  "I,  even  I,  am  he  that  blotteth  out  thy  trans- 
gressions, for  mine  own  sake,  and  will  not  remember  thy 
sins." 

42.  (131)     "How  do  we  obtain  forgiveness  of  sin?"     "Through  faith 

in  our  Savior  Jesus  Christ." 

43.  Our  only  hope  is  in  God's  forgiveness.     Now  what  does  this  ques- 

tion 131  tell  us?  It  tells  us  how  we  may  obtain  this  for- 
giveness. 

44.  It  is  evident  then  that  this  is  a  very  important  question.     When 

we  hear  that  a  thing  which  we  need  very  badly,  is  to  be  had, 
what  are  we  naturally  very  much  concerned  about?  About 
how  we  can  get  it. 

45.  It  was  this  which  so  much  concerned  the  poor  frightened  jailor  at 

Philippi  of  whom  we  read  in  Acts  16,  30.  31.  "Sir,  what 
must  I  do  to  be  saved?  And  they  said:  Believe  on  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and  thou  shalt  be  saved,  and  thy  house." 

46.  What  was  this  poor  man  anxious  about?     About  his  salvation. 

47.  And   what  answer   did   the   apostles   give  him?     "Believe   on   the 

Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  thou  shalt  be  saved  and   thy  house." 

48.  The  same  we  are  taught  in  John  3,  16.     "God  so  loved  the  world, 

that  he  gave  his  only  begotten  Son  that  whosoever  believeth 
in    him    should    not    perish    but    have    everlasting    life." 

49.  So  also  we  read  in  Acts  10.  43.     "To  him   give  all  the  prophets 

witness,  that  through  his  name  whosoever  believeth  in  him 
shall   receive  remission  of  sins." 


LESSON    37.  121 

50.  And   again   Eph.    1,    7.     "In    whom    we    have    redemption   through 

his  blood,  the  forgiveness  of  sins,  according  to  the  riches  of 
his  grace." 

51.  Who  is  Jesus  Ctirist  through  whom  we  obtain  forgiveness  of  sins? 

He   is  our  Savior. 

52.  From  what  did  he  save  us?     He  saved  us  from  our  sins. 

53.  How  did  he  save  us  from  our  sins?     By  his  sufferings  and  death. 

54.  Who  then  shall  have  forgiveness  of  sin?     He  that   believeth   on 

the  Savior. 

55.  Then  how  do  we  obtain   forgiveness  of  sins?     Through  faith    in 

our  Savior  Jesus  Christ. 


II. 

THE  SECOND  CHIEF  PART  OF  THE  CATECHISM,  OR 

THE  THREE  ARTICLES  OF  THE  HOLY 

CHRISTIAN  FAITH. 


LESSON  37.    THE  CREED. 

(Questions  132-135.) 

1.  How  many  chief  parts  of  Christian   doctrine  are  there?     There 

are  five  chief  parts  of  Christian  doctrine. 

2.  Which  are  the  five  chief  parts  of  Christian  doctrine?     The  holy 

ten  commandments,  the  Apostles  creed,  the  Lord's  prayer, 
holy  Baptism  and  the  Lord's  supper. 

3.  In  what  little  book  are  these  five  chief  parts  of  Christian  doc- 

trine explained?     In  the  Catechism. 

4.  What  chief  part  have  we  been  thus  far  considering?     We   have 

been  considering  the  first  chief  part. 

5.  Of  what  does  this  first  chief  part  treat?     It  treats  of  the  holy  ten 

commandments. 

6.  By  studying  these  commandments  we  come  to   a  knowledge  of 

sin.  We  learn  what  sin  is  and  what  its  consequences  are 
What  did  we  learn  in  the  last  lesson  concerning  the  conse- 
quences of  sin?     We  learned  that  God  hates  and  punishes  sin. 

7.  But  what  more  did  we  learn  about  the  consequences  of  sin?     We 

also  learned  how  to  escape  the  consequences  of  sin. 

8.  And  how  may  we  escape  the  consequences  of  sin?     By  obtaining 

forgiveness  of  sin. 

9.  And  how  can  we  obtain  such  forgiveness?     Through  faith   in  our 

Savior  Jesus  Christ. 

10.  What  do  we  call   those   who  believe   in   Jesus   Christ?     We   call 

them  Christians. 

11.  And  what  do  we  call  that  which  they  believe?     We  call    it  the 

Christian  faith. 

12.  Yes,  and  this  Christian  faith  is  the  subject  of  which  chief  part 

of  the  Catechism?  It  is  the  subject  of  the  second  chief  part 
of  the  Catechism. 

13.  (132)     "What  is  the  second  chief  part  of  the  Catechism?"  "The 

three  articles  of  the  holy  Christian  faith,  or  the  Apostolic 
Symbol." 


122  LESSON    37. 

14.  What  is  a  man's  faith?     A  man's  faith  is  that  which  he  believes. 

15.  We  are  here   dealing  with  a  man's  religious  faith,  that  is,  with 

what  he  believes  in  religious  matters.  The  question  is  as 
to  what  men  hold  regarding  God,  the  creation  and  preserva- 
tion of  the  world,  salvation  from  sin  and  eternal  life.  There 
are  many  faiths  or  religions  in  the  world.  Mention  some  of 
the  principal  ones.  The  Christian,  Jewish,  Mohammedan, 
and  pagan  religions. 

16.  What  is  our  faith  called?     Our  faith  is  called  the  Christian  Faith. 

17.  How  many  true  religions  are  there?     There  is  only  one  true  re- 

ligion. 

18.  Which  is  the  one  true  faith  or  religion?     The  Christian  faith. 

19.  After  whom  is  our  faith  called  "Christian"?     After  Christ. 

20.  Why  is  our  faith  called  after  Him?     Because  He  taught  it,  He  is 

the  author  of  it. 

21.  Yes,  and   because   He  is  also  the  heart  and  centre  of  it.     How 

many  articles  has  the  Christian  faith?     It  has  three  articles. 

22.  The  word  "articles"  here  means  members  or  parts.     Just  as  the 

members  of  our  body  belong  together  and  make  one  com- 
plete whole,  so  these  three  articles  belong  together  and 
make  one  complete  whole.  When  taken  together  what  do 
these  three  articles  constitute  or  make?  They  make  our 
Christian  faith. 

23.  Children,  this  is  the  faith  in  which  you  were  baptized.     It  is  the 

faith  which  we  confess  at  public  service  every  Sunday.  It 
is  the  faith  which  all  Christians  hold  and  which  God's  peo- 
ple have  confessed  for  2000  years.  How  is  this  faith  called 
because  it  deals  with  such  sacred  things?  It  is  called  the 
holy  Christian  faith. 

24.  We  also  call  these  three  articles  "the  Apostles'  Creed."  In  Latin 

this  faith  begins  with  the  word  "Credo"  wTiich  means:  I  be- 
lieve. What  do  we  call  this  faith  on  that  account?  We  call 
it  the  creed. 

25.  A  creed  is   an  expression  of  faith.     When  a  company  of  Chris- 

tians unite  in  giving  a  brief  expression  of  their  faith,  what 
do  we  call  such  an  expression?     We  call  it  a  creed. 

26.  So   we  have  a  number  of  creeds,   of  which  the  Apostolic  is  the 

oldest.  What  other  name  is  given  in  question  132?  It  is 
called  the  apostolic  symbol. 

27.  (133)     "What  is  the  apostolic  Symbol?"     "It  is  a  short  summary 

of  the  chief  articles  of  the  Christian  faith." 

28.  What  articles  of  our  Christian  faith  does  the  creed  contain?     It 

contains  the  chief  articles. 

29.  Yes,  the  main  things.     Those  things  which  every  Christian  should 

know  and  believe.  And  what  else  is  the  creed  called  in  this 
question  133?     It  is  called  a  short  summary. 

30.  When  I  have  a  column  of  figures,  draw   a  line  under  them  and 

place  a  row  of  figures  under  this  line  which  represents  as 
much  as  the  whole  column  added  together,  what  is  this  row 
called?     It  is  called  the  sum. 

31.  Yes,  in  these  few  figures  is  expressed  all  that  is  contained  in  the 

whole  column.  So  what  does  this  short  creed  stand  for?  It 
stands  for  the  whole  Christian  Faith. 


LESSON    37.  123 

32.  Yes,  we  might  say:    this  is   the  whole   Christian   faith  in   a   nut 

shell,  this  is  the  kernel  of  all  that  we  believe.  In  these  few 
words  we  give  expression  to  our  faith.  And  how  important 
it  is  that  we  confess,  or  give  expression  to  our  faith  we  see 
from  Rom.  10,  10.  Read  the  passage.  "For  with  the  heart 
man  believeth  unto  righteousness;  and  with  the  mouth  con- 
fession is  made  unto  salvation." 

33.  We  should  not  only  learn  this  faith,  that  is,  commit  it  to  memory, 

and  recite  it,  that  is  confess  it  with  our  lips,  but  what  does 
the  apostle  here  say  first  of  all?  We  should  believe  it  with 
our  hearts. 

34.  (134)     "Why  is  it  called  symbol  or  ensign?"     "Because  by  it  the 

Christians  are  known  and  distinguished  from  the  enemies  of 
the   Christian   church." 

35.  A  symbol  is  a  sign  that  represents  sometliing.     When  an  army 

is  on  the  marcli  or  goes  to  battle  what  symbol  do  they  car- 
ry, by  which  they  can  be  recognized?     They  carry  a  fhg. 

36.  If  you  see  a  company  of  soldiers  marching  under  the  stars  and 

stripes  what  do  you  conclude  as  to  their  nationality?  I  con- 
clude that  they  are  Americans. 

37.  So  this  creed  is  like  a  flag.    When  people  confess  this  faith,  what 

do  you  conclude  as  to  their  religion?  That  they  are  Chris- 
tians. 

38.  From    whom    are    Christians    distinguished   by    this    faith?     They 

are   distinguished   from   their  enemies. 

39.  When  a  man  does  not  march  under  the  flag  of  the  United  States, 

but  fights  against,  tears  down  and  tramples  upon  it,  in  what 
relation  does  that  man  stand  to  this  country?  He  is  an  ene- 
my of  this  country. 

40.  So  when  a  man  does  not  accept,  but  opposes  and  ridicules  the 

faith  which  we  confess  in  these  three  articles,  how  must  we 
regard  him?  We  must  regard  him  as  an  enemy  of  the  Chris- 
tian church. 

41.  All  Christians  confess   this  faith.     Tell  me  some  people  who  do 

not  confess  it.  Jews,  Mohammedans,  Pagans,  Infidels  and 
unbelievers. 

42.  This  faith  is  our  ensign,  our  flag.     By  this  we  stand.     To  it  we 

have  vowed  allegiance.  When  did  you  first  confess  this 
faith?     When  we  were  baptized. 

43.  Who  confessed  this  faith  for  you   at  your  baptism?     Our   spon- 

sors. 

44.  When  did  you  solemnly  ratify  and  renew  this  confession?     When 

we  were  confirmed. 

45.  Children,  God  grant  that  you    may  remain    faithful    to    this  con- 

fession,   that    you    may    never    deny    the    faith,    never  turn 

traitors  to  the  Christian  church.     Read  what  is  written  Rev. 

2,  10,  the  second  half  of  the  verse.  "Be  thou  faithful  unto 
death,  and    I  will  give  thee  a  crown  of  life." 

46.  (135)     "Why    is    this    faith    called    apostolic?"     "Because    it  con- 

tains the  sum  of  apostolic  doctrine." 

47.  AVho    taught    the    faith    confessed    in    these    three    articles?     The 

apostles  taught  it. 

48.  And  from  whom  did  they  get  it?     They  got  it  from  Christ. 

49.  So  what  two  terms  really  mean  the  same  thing?     The  terms  apos- 

tolic and  christian. 


124  LESSON    38. 

50.  From  the  days  of  the  apostles  down  to  the  present  day  all  Chris- 

tians have  confessed  this  faith.  We  have  received  it  from 
our  fathers  and  they  from  theirs  and  so  on  back  to  the  days 
of  the  apostles.  Now  read  what  the  apostle  St.  Jude  writes 
concerning  this  faith  in  the  third  verse  of  his  epistle.  "Be- 
loved, when  I  gave  all  diligence  to  write  unto  you  of  the  com- 
mon salvation,  it  was  needful  for  me  to  write  unto  you,  and 
exhort  you  that  ye  should  earnestly  contend  for  the  faith 
which  was  once  delivered  unto  the  saints." 

51.  What  does  the  apostle  here  say  we  should  do  for  the  faith  which 

was  delivered  to  us?     We  should  earnestly  contend  for  it. 

52.  Yes,  we  should  not  give  it  up  when  men  want  to  rob  us  of  it. 

When  a  thief  breaks  into  your  house  and  wants  to  rob  you 
of  your  goods  what  would  you  do?  I  would  defend  my  prop- 
erty. 

53.  And  so  we  should  contend  for  and  defend  our  faith.     Why?    .Be- 

cause it  is  a  very  precious  thing,  a  valuable  possession. 


LESSON   38.     THE    GOSPEL. 

(Question    136-137.) 

1.  What  was  the  suljject  of  our  last  lesson?     The  Creed. 

2.  By   what    other    name    do    we    call    the    creed?      We    call    it    the 

Apostolic  symbol,  or  the  three  articles  of  the  Christian  faith. 

3.  What  doctrine  does  the  Creed  contain?     It  contains  the  doctrine 

of  Christ  and  the  apostles. 

4.  What  do   we   call   it  on   this   account?      We    call    it   Christian    or 

apostolic. 

5.  Why  do  we  call  it  Christian  or  apostolic?  Because  Christ  and  the 

apostles   taught    it. 

6.  Where  have  we  a  record  of  what  Christ  and  the  apostles  taught? 

In  the  Bible. 

7.  There  are  two  principle  doctrines  in  the  Bible,  the  Law  and  the 

Gospel.    In  which  chief  part  of  the  Catechism  did  we  consider 
the  Law?     In  the  first  chief  part. 

8.  And  now,  in  the  Creed,  we  come  to  consider  the  other  principal 

doctrine  of  the  Scriptures.     What  do  we  call  this?  We  call 
it  the   Gospel. 

9.  (136)   "Whence  is  this  doctrine   (the  apostolic  doctrine)   taken?" 

"From  the  Gospel." 

10.  (137)    "What  is  the  Gospel?"     "The   Gospel    is  the   glad   tidings 

that  Jesus  Christ  has  saved   us  from   our  sins,  and  through 
faith   makes  us  forever  blessed." 

11.  In  what  words  did   the  angel  announce  the  birth  of   the   Savior 

to  the  shepherds  on  the  field  of  Bethlehem?     Luke  2,  10.11. 
"Fear  not:   for  behold,   I   bring  you  good  tidings  of  great  joy, 
which  shall  be  to  all  people.     For  unto  you  is  born  this  day 
in  the  city  of  David  a  Savior,  which  is  Christ  the  Lord." 

12.  The   angel   told   them   something  new,    something   they   did   not 

know   until   he   told   them.     What  does  the   word   "tidings" 
mean?     It  means  news. 


LESSON   38.  125 

13.  Yes,  the  Gospel  brings  us  news,  something  we  do  not  and  can  not 

know  of  ourselves  and  never  could  find  out,  if  it  were  not 
told  us.  The  law  tells  us  what  we  should  do  and  not  do. 
This  we  may  know,  at  least  in  part,  though  very  imperfectly, 
of  ourselves.  But  the  Gospel  is  something  entirely  new, 
something  which  man  of  himself  never  would  have  dreamed 
of.  The  Gospel  is  a  message  direct  from  God.  Tell  me  from 
this  answer  1.37  what  kind  of  tidings  is  the  Gospel?  The 
Gospel    is  glad   tidings. 

14.  What  did  the  angel  say  of  his  message  to  the  shepherds  in  the 

passage  you  have  just  read?  He  said:  "Behold  I  bring  you 
good  tidings." 

15.  What  kind  of  news  then  would  you  call  the  Gospel?     The  Gospel 

is   good    news. 

16.  Yes,  the  Gospel  is  something  to  rejoice  over.    What  did  the  angel 

say  of  the  tidings  he  brought  to  the  shepherds?  He  said: 
"I  bring  you  good  tidings  of  great  joy." 

17.  Now  tell  me  from  question  137,  concerning  whom  does  the  Gospel 

tell  us?     It  tells  us  of  Jesus  Christ. 

18.  Read  what  is  written  in  Gen.  3,  15.     "And   I   will  put  enmity  be- 

tween thee  and  the  woman,  and  between  thy  seed  and  her 
seed;  it  shall  bruise  thy  head,  and  thou  shalt  bruise  his 
heel." 

19.  This  God  spoke  to  the  serpent  in  the  hearing  of  Adam  and  Eve. 

He  promised  that  in  the  course  of  time  the  seed  of  the 
woman,  that  is  one  of  the  descendants  of  the  woman,  would 
bruise  the  head  of  the  serpent,  this  is,  would  deliver  men 
from  their  great  enemy,  the  serpent,  or  the  devil.  What  kind 
of  news  was  this  to  out  first  parents  when  they  had  fallen 
into  sin  and  were  beginning  to  suffer  its  dreadful  conse- 
quences?    It  was  good  news. 

20.  And  who  was  this  seed  of  the  woman  who  in  due  time  should 

save  men  from  sin,  death  and  the  devil?  It  was  Jesus 
Christ. 

21.  This  was   the   first  Gospel   message   and   of  whom   did    it   treat? 

It  treated  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Savior. 

22.  What  great  promise  did  God  give  Abraham?     Gen.  22,  18.     "And 

in  thy  seed  shall  all  the  nations  of  the  earth  be  blessed;  be- 
cause thou  hast  obeyed  my  voice." 

23.  The  descendeants,  or  the  seed,  of  Abraham  are  the  Jews.    Who  is 

it,  out  of  this  nation,  that  is  a  blessing  to  the  whole  world? 
It  Is  Jesus  Christ. 

24.  What  kind  of  news  was  it  to  Abraham  that  in  his  seed  all  nations 

should  be  blessed?     It  was  good  news. 

25.  Yes,  it  was  a  real  Gospel.    And  of  whom  did  it  treat?     It  treated 

of  Jesus  Christ. 

26.  Now  tell  me  from  question  137  what  does  the  Gospel  tell  us  of 

Jesus  Christ?     It  tells  us  that  he  saved  us  from  our  sins. 

27.  What    do    we    call    him    because    he    saved    us?      We    call    him 

Savior. 

28.  Yes,  that  is  the  reason  why  he  is  called  Jesus,  as  we  read  Matth. 

].  21.  "And  she  shall  bring  forth  a  son,  and  thou  shalt  call 
his  name  Jesus:  for  he  shall  save  his  people  from  their 
sins." 


126  LESSON    38. 

29.  When  the  poor  shipwrecked  people  in  the  life-boats  of  the  Titanic, 

after  that  dreadful  night,  were  told  that  the  ship  Carpathia 
was  in  sight,  how  do  yon  suppose  they  felt  about  the  news? 
They   felt   very   glad. 

30.  Why   did   they   feel   glad?      Because    they    knew,  now   they    were 

saved. 

31.  Yes,  that  certainly   was  good  news.     And  when  their  friends  in 

New  York  and  elsewhere  heard  that  their  loved  ones  were 
safe  on  board  the  Carpathia  what  kind  of  news  was  that? 
That  was  good  news  too. 

32.  Now  the  Gospel  tells  us  that  Jesus  Christ  has  saved  us  from  our 

sins.  What  are  the  consequences  of  sin?  The  consequences 
of  sin  are  death  and  damnation. 

33.  Yes,  so  we  read  Rom.  6,  23.    "For  the  wages  of  sin  is  death." 

34.  Now,  if  we  are  not  to   suffer  the  just   punishment  of  our  sins, 

what  must  be  done  with  sin?     Sin  must  be  forgiven. 

35.  And  who   secured  forgiveness  of  sins  for  us?     Our    Lord   Jesus 

Christ. 

36.  How  did  Jesus  Christ  secure  forgiveness  of  sins  for  us?     He  died 

for  us. 

37.  So  Jesus  saved  us  from  our  sins,  and  what  is  to  be  the  blessed 

result  of  this?  Tell  me  from  question  137.  We  are  to  be 
blessed  forever. 

38.  What   is    the    only    thing   that    can   make   us    miserable   forever? 

Sin  is  the  only  thing  that  can  make  us  unhappy  forever. 

39.  If  sin  is  forgiven  what  may  we  be  sure  of?     We  may  be  sure  of 

eternal    life. 

40.  What  kind  of  a  life  is  eternal  life?     It  is  a  blessed  life. 

41.  How    are    we   made    partakers    of    this    forgiveness    of    sins    and 

eternal  life?     Tell  me  from  question  137.     Through  faith. 

42.  Through  faith  in  whom?     Through  faith   in  Jesus  Christ. 

43.  And  all  this  is  told  us  in  the  Gospel.     Now  what  does  the  Savior 

say  of  the  Gospel  in  Mark  16,  15.16?  "Go  ye  into  all  the 
world,  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature.  He  that 
believeth~and  is  baptized  shall  be  saved;  but  he  that  be- 
lieveth    not  shall    be  damned." 

44.  What  were  the  apostles  to  preach  to  all  the  world?     They  were 

to  preach  the  Gospel. 

45.  Yes,  they  were  to  tell  the  world  the  good  news  of  the  gracious 

forgiveness  of  sins  through  faith  in  Jesus  Christ.  And  what 
did  Jesus  promise  those  who  would  believe  this  Gospel? 
He   promised   that   they   should   be   saved. 

46.  And  what  did  he  say  of  those  who  did  not  believe?     They  shall 

be  damned. 

47.  Now  read  what  the  apostle  says  Rom.  1,  16.     "I  am  not  ashamed 

of  the  Gospel  of  Christ:  for  it  is  the  power  of  God  unto 
salvation  to  every  one  that  believeth;  to  the  Jew  first,  and 
also  to  the  Greek." 

48.  Whose  Gospel  does  the  apostle  here  call  the  Gospel?     He  calls 

it  is  the  Gospel  of  Christ. 

49.  Yes,    because   it   tells    of   Him   and   why   does   he   say   he   is   not 

ashamed  of  this  Gospel?  Because  it  is  the  power  of  God  unto 
salvation. 


LESSON    39.  127 

50.  This    is   tlie   means   through   which    God   saves   us.     Through   it 

he  brings  us  to  faith.  To  whom  is  the  Gospel  the  power 
of  God  unto  salvation?     To  every  one  that  believetb. 

51.  So  what  is  necessary  on  our  part  in  order  that  the  Gospel  may 

save  us?     We  must  believe  it. 

52.  Now  read  1  Tim.  1,  15.     "This  is  a  faithful  saying,  and  worthy  of 

all  acceptation,  that  Jesus  Christ  came  iato  the  world  to 
save  sinners;    of  whom    I    am   chief." 

53.  Here   we   have   another   description   of   the   Gospel,   this   faithful 

saying,  this  trustworthy  message.  Of  whom  does  it  tell 
us?     It  tells  us  of  Christ  Jesus. 

54.  And  what  does  it  tell  us  concerning  Christ  .Tesus?     It  tells  us  that 

he  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners. 

55.  Yes,  and  that  surely  is  good  news.     And  the  apostle  says  it  is 

worthy  of  all  acceptation:  that  is,  we  can  depend  upon  it, 
it  is  reliable.  And  why  is  this  glad  message  of  the  Gospel 
perfectly  true  and   trustworthy?     Because    it   is  God's   word. 


LESSON   39.     THE    DIFFERENCE    BETWEEN    LAW    AND   GOSPEL. 

(Question  138.) 

1.  What  was  the   subject  of  our  last  lesson?     The   subject  of  our 

last  lesson  was  the  Gospel. 

2.  What   other   principal   doctrine   does   the   Word   of   God    contain 

besides  the  Gospel?      It  also  contains  the   Law. 

3.  Which  then  are  the  two  principle  doctrines  of  the  Word  of  God? 

The  Law  and  the  Gospel. 

4.  Yes,  and  these  two  doctrines  are  found  in  all  parts  of  the  Bible. 

How  do  we  divide  the  Bible?  We  divide  it  int«  the  Old  and 
the    New  Testaments. 

5.  Both  the  Law  and  the  Gospel  are  found  in  both  parts  of  the  Bible. 

But  these  two  doctrines  are  not  alike.  They  differ  in  many 
respects.  What  is  to  be  the  subject  of  today's  lesson?  The 
difference  between  Law  and  Gospel. 

6.  (138)   "What  is  the  chief  distinction  between   the  Law  and  the 

Gospel?"  "The  law  demands  that  we  perfectly  fulfiill  the 
holy  will  of  God,  and  condemns  all  who  fail  to  do  this.  But 
the  Gospel  gives  us  through  faith  the  perfect  righteousness 
of  Christ,  by  which  we  escape  damnation  and  are  forever 
saved," 

7.  In  this  ai^swer  you  will  find  two  words  printed  in  italics.    Which 

are  they?     The  word  "demands"  and  the  word  "gives." 

8.  These  two  words  point  out  the  first  difference  between  the  Law 

and  the  Gospel.  Law  and  Gospel  are  entirely  different  in 
their  character.  What  does  the  Law  do?  The  Law  de- 
mands. 

9.  And  what  does  the  Gospel  do?     The  Gospel  gi'  es. 

10.  What  is  the  difference  between  demand  and  give?    The  one  is  the 

opposite   of  the   other. 

11.  What  does  it  mean  to  demand  a  thing?     It  means  to  ask  for  it, 

to  insist  on   having   it. 

12.  How  does  the  first  commandment  begin?     Repeat  the  first  two 

words.     "Thou   shalt." 


128  LESSON    39. 

13.  When  God  begins  a  commandment  with  "Thou  shalt"  what  does 

He  tells  us?  He  tells  us  what  he  would  have  us  do. 

14.  Yes,  he  tells  us  what  he  demands  of  us.     Now  repeat  the  first 

three  words  of  the  fifth  commandment.     "Thou   shalt   not." 

15.  When  God  says  "Thou  shalt  not"  what  does  he  tell  us?  He  tells 

us  what  not  to  do. 

16.  Yes,  he  tells  us  what  he  demands  us  not  to  do.     In  the  Law  God 

demands  certain  things  of  us.  He  tells  us  what  he  ex- 
pects us  to  do  and  not  to  do.  This  is  the  case  not  only  in 
the  ten  commandments  but  in  other  scripture  passages. 
For  instance  in  Lev.  19,  2.  "Speak  unto  all  the  congregation 
of  the  children  of  Israel,  and  say  unto  them,  Ye  shall  be 
holy:   for  I,  the    Lord  your  God  am  holy." 

17.  So  also  in  Matth.  5,  48.     "Be  ye  therefore  perfect,  even  as  your 

Father  which    is    in   heaven    is   perfect." 

18.  In  such  scripture  passages  God  makes  a  demand,  he  asks  some- 

thing of  us.  What  do  we  call  all  such  passages  in  which 
God  tells  us  what  to  do  and  what  not  to  do?  We  call  them 
the   Law. 

19.  But  now   we   also  have   other  passages   in  which   God   does   not 

ask  certain  things  of  us,  but  in  which  he  promises  and 
gives  us  certain  things,  in  which  he  tells  us  what  he  has 
done  for  us,  and  what  he  still  'ntends  doing  for  us.  What 
do  we  call  such  passages?     We  call  them   the  Gospel. 

20.  What  does  the  word   "Gospel"  mean?      It  means   good   news. 

21.  Such  good  news  we  are  told  in  John  :i,  IG.    "For  God  so  loved  the 

world,  that  he  gave  his  only  begotten  Son,  that  whosoever 
believeth  in  him  should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting 
life." 

22.  Here  we  are  told  not  what  God   would  have   us   do,   but  rather 

what  are  we  told?     We  are  told  what  God  has  done  for  us. 

23.  What  did  God  do  for  the  world?     He   loved  the  world  and  gave 

his   only   Son   for  the   world. 

24.  Now  read  Rev.  21,  4.     "And  God   shall   wipe  away  all  tears  from 

their  eyes;  and  there  shall  be  no  more  death,  neither  sor- 
row, nor  crying,  neither  shall  there  be  any  more  pain:  for 
the  former  things  are   passed   away." 

25.  These  words  look  into  the  future  and  tell  us  not  what  God  has 

done,  but  rather  what?     What  God  intends  doing  for  us. 

26.  When  God  tells  us  what  good  things  he  has  in  store  for  his  chil- 

dren in  heaven  what  kind  of  a  message  is  this?  This  is  a 
good   message,   good  news. 

27.  And  what  do  we  call  such  glad  tidings?     We  call  them  Gospel. 

28.  So   you  see  the  great   difference   between  Law   and   Gospel.     In 

what  two  words  does  our  answer  to  question  138  express  this 
difference?     The  Law  demands  and  the  Gospel  gives. 

29.  Now  tell  me  what  does  the  Law  demand?  The  Law  demands  that 

we   perfectly  fulfill  the   holy  will   of  God. 

30.  And  what  does  the  Gospel  give?     The   Gospel   gives  us  through 

faith    the    perfect    righteousness    of    Christ, 

31.  The  law  asks  us  to  be  holy  and  righteous.     What  does  the  Gos- 

pel offer  and  give  us?  It  gives  us  the  perfect  righteousness 
of  Christ. 


LESSON    39.  129 

32.  Christ  did  the  very  thing  which   the  law   demands,   He   was  per- 

fectly righteous  and  holy.  And  this  He  did  for  us.  In  his 
righteous  and  holy  life  he  was  our  substitute.  And  what 
doctrine  tells  us  of  this  and  offers  us  this  righteousness  of 
Christ?     The  Gospel    offers   us  this   righteousness   of  Christ, 

33.  But  the  Law  not  only  demands  that  we  perfectly  fulfill  the  holy 

will  of  God  but  what  more  does  it  do?  It  condemns  all  who 
fail   to   do  this. 

34.  What  does  the  Law   do  with   all  those  who  fail   to  keep  it?     It 

condemns    them. 

35.  Of  this  we  have  an  example  in  the  passage  Gal.  3,  10.     "Cursed 

is  every  one  that  continueth  not  in  all  things  which  are 
written   in   the  book  of  the   Law  to   do  them." 

36.  What  does  God  threaten  to  do  with  all  those  who  transgress  his 

commandments?     He  threatens  to  punish  them. 

37.  What  doctrine  of  the  word  of  God  is  it  in  which  God  threatens 

to  punish  those  who  do  not  keep  his  commandments?  It  is 
the    Law. 

38.  Now  Christ  came  and  took  upon  himself  the  punishment  for  our 

sins  as  we  read  Gal.  3,  13.  "Christ  hath  redeemed  us  from 
the  curse  of  the  law,  being  made  a  curse  for  us:  for  it  is 
written,  cursed   is  every  one  that  hangeth   on  a  tree." 

39.  Again  we  read  1  Peter  2,  24,  concerning  the  Savior:      "Who   his 

own  self  bare  our  sins  in  his  own  body  on  the  tree,  that  we, 
being  dead  to  sins,  should  live  unto  righteousness:  by  whose 
stripes  ye  were  healed." 

40.  Now  repeat  the  passage  2  Cor.  5,  19.     "God  was  in  Christ,  recon- 

ciling the  word  unto  himself,  not  imputing  their  trespasses 
unto  them;  and  hath  committed  unto  us  the  Word  of  recon- 
ciliation." 

41.  What  are  we  here  told  that  God  did  in  Christ?     That  He  recon- 

ciled  the   world    unto    himself. 

42.  Yes,  and  now  because  in  Christ  the  world  is  reconciled  to  God. 

God  does  not  impute  their  trespasses  to  them  but  what  is 
he  ready  to  do  with  sin?     He  is  ready  to  forgive  it. 

43.  And  what  else  does   the  apostle  say  in  this   passage?  That   God 

hath  committed   unto  us  the  word   of   reconciliation. 

44.  This  word  of  reconciliation  is  the  Gospel.     What  did  the  I^ord  tell 

the  apostles  to  preach?     He  told  them  to  preach  the  Gospel. 

45.  In  this  Gospel   God  offers  us  the  righteousness  of  Christ.     That 

is,  what  does  he  offer  us  for  Christ's  sake?  He  offers  us  the 
forgiveness   of  sins. 

46.  In  the  Law  God  threatens  to  punish  sin  but  what  does  he  offer 

in   the   Gospel?      He   offers   to   forgive   sin. 

47.  This  coi-tainly  is  glad  tidings,  good  news.     And  what  do  we  call 

such  glad  tidings?     We  call  it  the  Gospel. 

48.  Yes,  indeed  it  is  good  news  that  we  are  to  escape  the  damnation 

which  we  have  deserved  by  our  sins.  But  in  the  Gospel 
God  not  only  tells  us  what  he  has  done  for  us,  but  also  what 
He  intends  doing  for  us.  Tell  me  what  is  to  be  the  blessed 
result  of  this  forgiveness  which  God  offers  in  the  Gospel, 
the  last  clause  in  our  answer  to  question  138  tells  us.  We 
are  to  be  forever  saved. 

49.  So  whikc  the  Law  condemns  us  what  does  the  Gospel  do?     The 

Gospel    saves    us. 


130  LESSON   40, 

50.  Now  read  what  the  apostle  says  of  the  Gospel  Rom.  1,  16.     "For 

I  am  not  ashamed  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ:  for  it  is  the  power 
of  God  unto  salvation  to  every  one  that  believeth;  to  the 
Jew  first  and  also  to  the  Greek." 

51.  What  does  the  apostle  here  call  the  Gospel  of- Christ?  He  caTIs  rt 

the  power  of  God  unto  salvation. 

52.  Yes,   through  it  God   saves   us.     Read  what  the   Savior  himself 

said  when  he  sent  out  his  deciples  to  preach  the  Gospel, 
Mark  16,  15-16.  "Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the 
Gospel  to  every  creature.  He  that  believeth  and  is  baptized 
shall  be  saved;   but  he  that  believeth  not  shall  be  damned." 

53.  What  is  necessary  on  our  part  that  the  Gospel  may   save  us? 

We  must  believe  it. 

54.  Yes,   and   though   of  ourselves   we   are   not  able   to   believe,   the 

Gospel  itself  gives  us  power  to  believe.  This  is  the  living 
seed  through  which  God  puts  new  life  into  our  spiritually 
dead  hearts  as  we  read  1  Peter  1,  23.  "Being  born  again,  not 
of  corruptible  seed,  but  of  uncorruptible,  by  the  word  of 
God,  which   liveth  and   abideth  forever." 

55.  Read  1  Cor.  3,6  the  latter  half  of  the  verse.     "For  the  letter  kill- 

eth,  but  the  spirit  giveth   life." 

56.  The  apostle  here  calls  the  Law  the  letter,  and  what  does  he  say 

of  it?     He  says  it  killeth. 

57.  That  is,  it  condemns  to  eternal  death.     But  what  does  he  say  of 

the  Spirit,  that  is  the  Gospel?  He  says  the  Spirit  giveth 
life. 

58.  Law  and  Gospel  are  entirely  different  in  their  effects.     The  law 

gives  us  a  knowledge  of  sin  and  its  dreadful  consequences, 
but  the  Gospel  brings  us  the  remedy  for  sin.  The  Law 
terrifies  but  the  Gospel  brings  joy  and  gladness,  life  and 
salvation.  So  Law  and  Gospel  differ  not  only  in  their  char- 
acter but  in  what  other  respects?  They  also  differ  in  their 
effects  and  results. 


LESSON  40.     THE  BEING  OF  GOD. 

(Question    139-142.) 

(139)  "What  are  the  words  of  the  Apostolic  Symbol?"  I  believe 
in  God  the  Father  Almighty,  Maker  of  heaven  and  earth. 
And  in  Jesus  Christ,  His  only  Son,  our  Lord,  who  was  con- 
ceived by  the  Holy  Ghost,  born  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  suffered 
under  Pontius  Pilate,  was  crucified,  dead  and  buried;  He 
descended  into  hell;  the  third  day  He  rose  again  from  the 
dead;  He  ascended  into  heaven,  and  sitteth  at  the  right 
hand  of  God  the  Father  Almighty,  from  thence  He  shall 
come  to  judge  the  quick  and  the  dead.  I  believe  in  th« 
Holy  Ghost;  the  Holy  Christian  Church,  the  communion  of 
saints;  the  foregiveness  of  sin;  the  resurrection  of  the  body; 
and    the    life    everlasting.      Amen." 

(140)  "Of  what  do  the  three  articles  of  the  Apostolic  Symbol 
treut?"  "The  first  treats  of  Creation,  the  second  of  Re- 
demption, the  third   of  Sanctification." 

How  many  articles  or  parts  has  the  Apostolic  Symbol  or  the 
Creed?     It   has  three  articles. 


LESSON   40.  131 

4.  Of  what  does  the  first  article  treat?     The  first  article  treats  of 

Creation. 

5.  Of  what  does  the  second  article  treat?    The  second  article  treats 

of  Redemption. 

6.  And    of   what    does    the   third    article    treat?      The    third    article 

treats  of  Sanctification. 

7.  (141)     "What  is  the  chief  use  of  these  articles  of  the  Christian 

faith?"  "That  we  may  learn  from  them  to  know  God  ac- 
cording   to    His    essence    and    His    gracious    will    toward    us." 

8.  What  are  we  to  learn  first?     We  are  to   learn  to   know  God  ac- 

cording to  His  essence. 

9.  And  what  else  are  we  to  learn?     We  are  to   learn  to   know   His 

gracious  will  toward  us. 

10.  Whom  are  we  to  learn  to  know  from  these  three  articles?     We 

are  to  learn  to  know  God. 

11.  What  is  the  first  thing  we  are  to  learn  concerning  God?     We  are 

to  learn  concerning  the  essence  of  God. 

12.  When  we  describe  the  essence  of  a  thing,  we  say  what  it  is.     So 

what  question  are  we  to  answer  first  concerning  God?  The 
question:     What  is  God? 

13.  (142)      "What  is  God?"     "God  is  a  spirit,  who  is  eternal,  omnipo- 

tent, omniscient,  omnipresent,  holy,  righteous,  merciful  and 
truthful." 

14.  There    are    different    ways    of    knowing    what    and    who    God    is. 

We  can  know  God  in  part  from  nature.  When  I  look  at  a 
fine  building,  I  conclude  that  some  one  must  have  planned 
and  put  up  that  building.  When  I  behold  the  wonderful 
building  of  the  world  what  may  I  conclude?  That  some 
one  planned  and  made  it. 

15.  When    I    look   at    a   fine    watch,    and    admire   the    accuracy    with 

which  its  several  parts  fit  into  each  other,  and  the  cor- 
rectness with  which  it  keeps  time,  what  do  1  conclude  wiui 
reference  to  the  maker  of  the  watch?  That  he  must  have 
been  a  very  skillful   workman. 

16.  So  when  I  behold  how  wonderfully  the  world  is  made,  how  day 

and  night.  Summer  and  Winter,  seed  time  and  harvest  fol- 
low each  other,  what  have  I  a  right  to  conclude  with  ref- 
erence to  the  Creator  of  this  world?  That  He  is  a  wise 
being. 

17.  We  can  not  see  God.  but  what  can   we  see?     We   can   see    His 

works. 

18.  Read  Psalm  104,  24.     "O   Lord,   How  manifold  are  thy  works!     In 

wisdom  hast  thou  made  them  all:  and  the  earth  is  full  of  thy 
riches." 

111.  In  Rom.  1.  19-20,  the  apostle  tells  ns  how  the  visil)le  works  of 
God  reveal  to  us  the  invisible  (!od  himself.  Read  the  pas- 
sage. "Because  that  which  may  be  known  of  God  is  mani- 
fest in  them;  for  God  hath  showed  it  unto  them.  For  the 
invisible  things  of  Him  from  the  creation  of  the  world  are 
clearly  seen,  being  understood  by  the  things  that  are  made, 
even  his  eternal  power  and  godhead-" 


132  LESSON    40. 

20.  But    this    natural    knowledge    of    God    is    imperfect.      We    never 

would  rightly  know  what  and  who  God  is,  much  less  his  will, 
if  God  had  not  revealed  himself  to  us  in  a  more  complete 
and  perfect  way,  than  he  has  done  In  nature.  This  more 
perfect  and  complete  revelation  of  God  we  have  in  the 
written  word  of  God.  Where  have  we  the  written  word  of 
God?     We  have  it  in  the  Bible. 

21.  Yes,  and   therefore  if  we   want  a   correct  and  complete  answer 

to  the  question:  What  is  God?  where  must  we  go  for  this 
answer?     We  must  go  to  the  Bible. 

22.  What  does  our  question   142  say,  first  of  all,   in   answer  to  the 

question:     What  is  God?     God  is  a  spirit. 

23.  Yes,  and  this  answer  is  taken  from  the  holy  scriptures.     In  .John 

4,  24,  the  Savior  himself  tells  us  what  God  is.  Read  the 
passage.  "God  is  a  spirit:  and  they  that  worship  him 
must  worship   him   in  spirit  and   in  truth." 

24.  What  does  the  Savior  here  say  in  answer  to  the  question:  What 

is  God?     He  says:     God  is  a  spirit. 

25.  It  is  very  difficult  for  us  to  understand  what  a  spirit  is,  because 

we  can  not  see,  nor  touch,  nor  weigh,  nor  measure  it.  It 
does  not  occupy  space  like  a  tree,  an  animal  or  a  human 
being.  It  is  not  subject  to  our  senses.  When  the  Savior 
appeared  to  the  disciples  after  the  resurrection  they  were 
frightened  and  thought  they  saw  a  spirit.  Now  read  Luke 
24,  38.  39.  "And  he  said  unto  them,  why  are  ye  troubled? 
and  why  do  thoughts  arise  in  your  hearts?  Behold  my  hands 
and  my  feet,  that  it  is  I  myself:  handle  me,  and  see;  for 
a  spirit  hath  not  flesh  and  bones,  as  ye  see  me  have." 

26.  What  does  the  Savior  here  say  of  a  spirit?     He  says  a  spirit  hath 

not  flesh  and  bones,  such  as  he  has. 

27.  A  spirit  has  no  body.     God  is  a  spirit  and  therefore  has  no  body. 

It  is  true  God  is  sometimes  spoken  of  as  though  he  had  eyes, 
ears,  hands  and  arms.  Read  1  Peter  3,  12.  "For  the  eyes 
of  the  Lord  are  over  the  righteous,  and  his  ears  are  open 
unto  their  prayers:  but  the  face  of  the  Lord  is  against  them 
that  do  evil." 

28.  All    such    expressions   are   not   to   be   taken   literally.     They   are 

simply  descriptions  of  God  in  language  that  is  suited  to  our 
human  way  of  thinking.    What  is  the  eye  for?    The  eye  is  to 
see. 
2&.      So  the  eye  of  God  means  his  ability  to  see  and  know  all  things. 
What  is  the  ear  for?     The  ear  is  to  hear. 

30.  So  the  ear  of  God  stands  for  his  ability  and  willingness  to  hear 

and  answer  our  prayers.  What  is  the  arm  for?  The  arm  is 
for  work. 

31.  So  where  the  arm  or  the  hand  of  God  is  spoken  of,  as  in  Deut. 

11,  2.  it  stands  for  the  mighty  power  of  God.  Read  the 
passage.  "And  know  ye  this  day:  for  I  speak  not  with  your 
children  which  have  not  known,  and  which  have  not  seen 
the  chastisement  of  the  Lord,  your  God,  his  greatness,  his 
mighty   hand,   and   his  stretched   out   arm." 

32.  But   God   is   not    the   only    spirit.      What   other   si)irits   are   there 

besides   God?     The  angels  are   also   spirits. 

33.  Read  what  the  apostles  say  concerning  angels  Heb.   1,  14.     "Are 

they  not  all  ministering  spirits,  sent  forth  to  minister  for 
them  who  shall   be  heirs  of  salvation." 


LESSON    40.  133 

34.  Here  he  calls  the  angels  spirits.     But  there  is  a  vast  difference 

between  God  and  the  angels.  The  angels  were  created,  but 
what  about  God?     He  was  not  created. 

35.  God  is  an  uncreated  spirit  and  on  that  account  stands  in  a  class 

all  by  himself.  He  is  the  only  spirit  of  his  kind.  There  is 
none  other  like  him.  This  we  see  when  we  consider  God's 
attributes.  Let  us  first  try  to  understand  what  an  attribute 
is.  When  I  say;  this  is  an  English  book,  what  part  of  speech 
is  the  word  "English?"  It  is  an  adjective. 
3G.  What  is  an  adjective?  An  adjective  is  a  word  that  describes  a 
person  or  thing. 

37.  When  you  describe  a  person  or  thing  you   say   what  kind   of  a 

person  or  thing  it  is,  you  give  its  qualities.  For  instance 
give  an  attribute  of  the  wall.     The  wall   is  white. 

38.  Give  me  an  attribute  of  a  ball.     A  ball  is  round. 

39.  So  of  a  person.     When  I  say:    George  Washington  was  a  great 

man.  what  is  greatness  in  relation  to  this  man?  It  is  a 
quality  or  attribute. 

40.  When  I  say:    Martin  Luther  was  a  pious  man.  what   is  piety  in 

relation  to  this  man?  It  is  an  attribute  or  quality  of  the 
man. 

41.  So  when   we  want  to  describe  God,   what  do  we  mention?     We 

mention    his  attributes. 

42.  Yes.  we  make  mention  of  such  qualities  as  distinguish  Him  from 

other  beings.  Question  142  tells  us  not  only  that  God  is  a 
spirit,  but  what  else  does  it  tell  us?  It  tells  us  what  kind  of 
a  spirit  God  is. 

43.  What  is  said  of  God  in  this  answer  in  order  to  describe  him?     He 

is  eternal,  omnipotent,  omniscient,  omnipresent,  holy,  right- 
eous, merciful,  and  truthful. 

44.  What  are  these  expressions:    eternal,  omnipotent   and  the  like? 

They  are  attributes  of  God. 
4.5.     Yes.    they   are   those   qualities    in    which    He   differs    from    other 

spirits.     Who,  for  instance,  alone   is  eternal?     God  alone   is 

eternal. 
40.     Who  alone  is  omnipotent?     God   alone    is  omnipotent. 

47.  Who  alone  is  omnipresent?     God  alone  is  omnipresent. 

48.  And  so  with  all  the  attributes  of  God.     They  either  belong  abso- 

lutely to  him  alone  or,  at  least  in  a  peculiar  sense,  they  be- 
long to  him  alone.  So,  for  example,  there  are  other  persons 
who  are  holy  but  not  in  the  degree  and  sense  in  which  God 
is  holy.  There  are  other  persons  who  are  merciful,  but  not 
in  the  degree  and  sense  in  which  God  is  merciful.  So  the 
attributes  mentioned  under  question  142  are  what  kind  of 
attributes?     They  are  divine  attributes. 

49.  And  why  do  we  call  them  divine  attributes?     Because  they  be- 

long to  God  only. 

50.  Of  what  other  being  can  we  say  that  it  is  eternal,  omnipresent, 

omnipotent  and  the  like?    We  can  say  this  of  no  other  being. 
51  .      So  we  read  of  God's  holiness  in  1  Sam.  2,  2.     "There  is  none  holy 

as  the  Lord:  for  there   is  none  besides  thee:    neither  is  there 

any  rock  like  our  God." 
52.      And   again   Rev.    15,   4.      "Who   shall    not   fear   thee.   O    Lord,   and 

glorify    thy    name?    for    thou    only    art    holy:    for    all    nations 

shall   come   and   worship   before   thee,   for  thy  judgments   are 

made   manifest." 


184  LESSON   41. 

LESSON   41.     THE   ATTRIBUTES   OF   GOD. 

(Question  142.) 

1 .  In  our  last  lesson  we  saw  what  is  meant  by  tire  attributes  of  God. 

Now  let  us  consider  these  attributes.  Which  is  mentioned 
first  in  Question  142?     God   is  eternal. 

2.  Children,  it  is  very  hard  for  us  weak  mortals  to  understand  the 

attributes  of  the  infinite  God.  We  have  seen  that  God  has 
showed  himself  through  his  works.  So  the  works  of  God,  to 
some  extent  also,  show  his  attributes.  Who  made  the 
world?     God  made  the  world. 

3.  So  we  learn  from  the  first  sentence  of  the  Bible.     Read  it.     "In 

the  beginning  God  created  the  heaven  and  the  earth." 

4.  When  we  see  a  building  we  know  there  must  have  been  a  builder. 

Now  which  existed  first,  the  building  or  the  builder?  The 
builder  was  first. 

5.  So  with  the  world.     It  did  not  always  exist.     It  had  a  beginning,. 

But  before  the  world  began  who  must  have  been?  God, 
who  made  the  world. 

6.  If  God  was  before  the  beginning  then  what  can  he  never  have 

had?     He  never  can  have  had  a  beginning. 

7.  But  this  is  only  part  of  what  we  mean  when  we  say  that  God  is 

eternal.  The  world  was  not  without  beginning,  neither  will 
it  exist  forever.  What  does  the  Savior  say  of  heaven  and 
earth  in  Matth.  24,  35?     "Heaven  and  earth  shall  pass  away." 

8.  But  God  will  never  pass  away.     Looking  back  into  the  past  we 

say  God  never  had  a  beginning,  but  what  can  we  say  of 
Him  when  we  look  into  the  future?  He  never  will  have  an 
end. 

9.  Now   tell   in  full  what  we   mean   when   we  say   God   is  eternal? 

We  mean  that  he  is  without  beginning  and  without  end. 

10.  Now  repeat  the  passage  Ps.  90,  1-2.     "Lord,  thou   hast  been  our 

dwellingpiace  in  all  generations.  Before  the  mountains  were 
brought  forth,  or  ever  thou  hadst  formed  the  earth  and  the 
world,  even  from  everlasting  to  everlasting,  thou  art  God. 

11.  How  does  this  passage  say  that  God  never  had  a  beginning  and 

never  will  have  an  end?  He  is  from  everlasting  to  ever- 
lasting. 

12.  We  poor  mortals  are  born,  live  a  few  years,  and  then  pass  away. 

How  should  we  feel  when  we  compare  ourselves  with  this 
eternal  God?  Give  me  the  answer  liy  reading  Ps.  102,  11.12. 
"My  days  are  like  a  shadow  that  declineth;  and  I  am  with- 
ered like  grass.  But  thou,  O  Lord,  shalt  endure  forever; 
and   thy   remembrance   unto   all   generations." 

13.  We  count  time  by  days,  months,  and  years.     But  God's  life  is  not 

so  counted.  He  is  always  the  same.  He  never  changes. 
Read  2  Peter  3,  8.  "Beloved,  be  not  ignorant  of  this  one 
thing,  that  one  day  is  with  the  Lord  as  a  thousand  years, 
and  a  thousand  years  as  one  day." 

14.  Which  is  the  next   attribute  of  God   mentioned   in  Question   142? 

God  is  omnipotent. 

15.  The  word  "omnipotent"  here  means  all  po'werful.     Tell  me  from 

this,  what  power  has  God?     God  has  all  power. 

16.  Repeat  the  passage  Ps.  115,  3.     "Our  God   is  in  the  heavens:    He 

hath   done   whatsoever   he   hath    pleased." 


LESSON    41.  135 

17.  We  would  often  like  to  do  things  which  we  do  not  do.    Why?  Be- 

cause we  can  not  always  do  what  we  please. 

18.  Our  doing  is  limited  because  what  is  limited?     Because  our  power 

is  limited. 

19.  But  God's  power  is  not  limited.     In  the  beginning  he  wanted  to 

make  light.  How  did  he  go  about  it?  He  said  "let  there  be 
light,"  and  there  was  light. 

20.  Yes,  his   mere   word   is   sufficient   to  call  things   into  being  that 

were  not  l)efore,  as  we  read  Ps.  3.3,  8.  9.  "Let  all  the  earth 
fear  the  Lord:  let  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  world  stand  in 
awe  of  him.  For  he  spake  and  it  was  done;  he  commanded 
and  it  stood  fast." 

21.  This  Lord  surely  is  to  be  feared.     But  he  is  also  to  be  trusted. 

When  he  promises  a  thing  why  can  we  depend  upon  its  be- 
ing done?     Because  God   is  able  to  do  what  he  promises. 

22.  Now  read  Luke  1,  37.     "With  God  nothing  shall   be  impossible." 

23.  We  cannot  ask  anything  of  God  which  he  is  not  able  to  do.     To 

what  should  this  move  us?  It  should  move  us  to  trust  in 
God. 

24.  Now   give   the   third   attribute   mentioned   in  question   142.      God 

is  Omniscient. 

25.  This  means  that  God  is  all-knowing.     Just  as  there  is  no  limit 

to  his  power,  so  there  is  no  limit  to  his  knowledge.  What 
great  gift  did  God  bestow  upon  Solomon?  1  Kings  3,  12. 
The  gift  of  wisdom. 

26.  Solomon  was  the  wisest  man  that  ever  lived.    And  yet  there  were 

many  things  which  he  did  not  know.  We  are  constantly 
learning  things  we  did  not  know.  But  why  is  it  not  neces- 
sary for  God  to  learn  anything?  Because  he  knows  every- 
thing. 

27.  We    are    constantly    forgetting    what    we    did    know.      But    what 

about  God's  memory?     God  .never  forgets  anything. 

28.  Our  knowledge  is  limited  because  the  future  is  hidden  from  us. 

But  what  about  God's  knowledge  of  the  future?  He  knows 
the  future  as  well  as  the  past,  and  the  present. 

29.  Repeat  Ps.  139,  1-4.    "Oh  Lord,  thou  hast  searched  me,  and  known 

me.  Thou  knowest  my  down-sitting  and  mine  up-rising; 
Thou  understandest  my  thought  afar  off.  Thou  compassest 
my  path  and  my  lying  down,  and  art  acquainted  with  all  my 
ways.  For  there  is  not  a  word  in  my  tongue,  but,  lo,  O 
Lord,  thou   knowest  it  altogether." 

30.  Why   should   we   be   so    careful   of   our   actions   and   words,   yea, 

even  of  our  thoughts?     Because  God   knows  them. 

31.  Read  also  Heb.  4,  13.     "Neither  is  there  any  creature  that  is  not 

manifest  in  his  sight:  but  all  things  are  naked  and  opened 
in  the  eyes  of  him  with  whom  we  have  to  do." 

32.  But  the  fact  that  God  knows  all  things  is  not  only  a  solemn  but 

it  is  also  a  comforting  fact.  God  knows  what  we  need.  He 
sees  when  we  are  in  trouble.  His  wisdom  can  provide  for 
our  welfare.  Of  this  the  Savior  reminds  us  in  Matth.  6,  8  the 
latter  part  of  the  verse.  "Your  Father  knoweth  what  things 
ye  have  need  of,  before  ye  ask  him." 

33.  Now  tell  me  the  fourth  attribute  of  God.     God  is  omnipresent. 

34.  The    word    "omnipresent"    means    present    everywhere.      In   how 

many  places  can  a  man  be  present  at  one  time?  He  can  be 
present  only  in  one  place  at  a  time. 


136  LESSON    41. 

35.  If  you  are  now  present  in  this  school  room,  you  cannot,  at  the 

same  time,  be  present  at  home.  But  God  is  not  so  limited. 
Where  is  God?     God  is  everywhere. 

36.  You  are  present  at  this  moment  in  this  schoolroom,  but  in  an 

hour  from  now  where  will  you  be?     I  will  be  at  home. 

37.  So  you  can  also  be  at  different  places,  but  how?     Only  at  differ- 

ent times. 

38.  But  how  can   God  be  present  everywhere?     He  can   be  present 

everywhere  at  the  same  time. 

39.  So  God  speaks  of  himself  in  the  Bible.    Read  .Jer.  23.  23.  24.    "Am 

I  a  God  at  hand,  saith  the  Lord,  and  not  a  God  afar  off? 
Can  any  hide  himself  in  secret  places  that  I  shall  not  see 
him?  saith  the  Lord.  Do  not  I  fill  heaven  and  earth?  saith 
the  Lord. 

40.  Read  also  Ps.  139,  7-10.     "Whither  shall   I  go  from  thy  spirit?    Or 

whither  shall  I  flee  from  thy  presence?  If  I  ascend  up  into 
heaven,  thou  art  there:  If  I  make  my  bed  in  hell,  behold 
thou  art  there.  If  I  take  the  wings  of  the  morning,  and 
dwell  in  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  sea,  even  there  shall 
thy  hand  lead  me,  and  thy  right  hand  shall  hold  me." 

41.  The  fact  that  God  is  everywhere  is  a  very  solemn  truth.    We  are 

constantly  under  his  eye.  What  did  God  say  to  Abraham 
Gen.  17,  1?  The  latter  half  of  the  verse.  "I  am  the  almighty 
God;  walk  before  me  and  be  thou  perfect." 

42.  But  it  is  also  a  very  comforting  truth.     No  matter  where  we  are 

and  with  what  dangers  we  may  be  surrounded,  what  may  we 
be  sure  of?     We  may  be  sure  that  God  is  with  us. 

43.  In  this  connection  read  Ps.  145,  18.     "The  Lord  is  nigh  unto  all 

them  that  call  upon  him,  to  all  that  call  upon  him   in  truth." 

44.  Read  also  Ps.  23,  4.    "Yea,  though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the 

shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil:  for  thou  art  with  me; 
thy  rod  and  thy  staff  they  comfort  me." 

45.  What  is  the  fifth  attribute  mentioned  in  Question  142?     God   is 

holy. 

46.  How  is  God  descril)ed  in  Isa.  6,  3?     "Holy,  Holy,  Holy,  is  the  Lord 

of  hosts:   the  whole  earth   is  full   of  his  glory." 

47.  The   holiness   of  God   is    so   great   that   the   prophet  repeats   the 

word  three  times  to  emphasize  his  holiness.  But  what  is  the 
opposite  of  holiness?     Unholiness  or  sin. 

48.  If  God  is  so  holy  what  must  he  be  free  from?     He  is  free  from 

sin. 

49.  Can  you  think  of  another  word  that  expresses  this  freedom  from 

sin  in  God?     God  is  pure,  he  is  perfect. 

50.  To  what   should   this   holiness  of   God   move   us?     Give   me  the 

answer  by  reading  the  latter  part  of  Lev.  19,  2.  "Ye  shall  be 
holy:  for  I  the  Lord  your  God  am  holy." 

51.  What  is  the  next  attribute  of  God?    God  is  righteous. 

52.  That  means,  not  only  that  he  does   what  is   right,  but  that  he 

judges  rightly.  What  kind  of  a  judge  would  you  call  an 
unrighteous  judge?  Prov.  17,  15  tells  us.  "He  that  justifieth 
the  wicked,  and  he  that  condemneth  the  just,  even  they  both 
are  abomination  to  the   Lord." 

53.  Now  if  God  is  a  righteous  judge  he  does  just  the  opposite.     Can 

you  tell  me  what  he  does  with  the  wicked  and  what  he 
does  with  the  just.  He  punishes  the  wicked  and  rewards 
the  Just. 


LliSSON    41.  I'M 

54.  What  does  God,  as  a  righteous  judge,  love  and  reward?     He  loves 

and  rewards  what  is  good. 

55.  And  what  does  he  hate  and  punish?     He  hates  and  punishes  the 

evil. 

5G.     Repeat  Uan.  9,  7.     ''O  Lord,  righteousness  belongeth   unto  thee." 

57.  And  again  Dan.  9,  14.     "The  Lord,  our  God  is  righteous  in  all  his 

works  which   he  doeth." 

58.  When  we  learn  that  God  is  just,  to  what  should  this  move  us? 

It  should   move   us  to  shun   what   is  evil. 

59.  And  what  comfort  do  we  find  in  the  righteousness  of  God,  over 

against  the  wicked  world  which  so  often  misjudges  and  con- 
demns us  innocently?  Read  for  an  answer  Ps.  103,  6.  "The 
Lord  executeth  righteousness  and  judgment  for  all  that  are 
oppressed." 

60.  Which  is  the  next  attribute  of  God?     God  is  merciful. 

61.  By  this  is   meant  that  God  pities  those  who  are  in  trouble,   as 

the  good  Samaritan  pitied  the  poor  man  who  fell  among 
thieves.  But,  above  all,  God  pities  us  poor  sinners,  and 
what  does  his  mercy  move  him  to  do?  It  moves  him  to  for- 
give us  our  sins. 

62.  Read  Ex.  34.  6.  7.    "The  Lord,  the  Lord  God  merciful  and  gracious, 

long-suffering,  and  abundant  in  goodness  and  truth,  keep- 
ing mercy  for  thousands,  and  forgiving  iniquity  and  trans- 
gression and  sin." 

60.  And  to  what  should  this  mercy  of  God  lead  us?  Give  me  the  an- 
swer by  reading  Luke  6,  36.  "Be  ye  therefore  merciful,  as  your 
Father  also   is  merciful.' 

64.  When  is  the  mercy  of  God  specially  comforting  to  us  poor  sin- 

ners?    When   we  think  of  and  are  troubled   about  our  sins. 

65.  Which    is    the    last   attribute    of   God    here   mentioned?      God    is 

truthful. 

66.  When  do  you  say  of  a  man  that  he  is  truthful?     When  he  speaks 

the  truth. 

67.  Yes,  or  when  he  keeps  his  promises.     And  this  God  does,  as  wp 

see  from  Ps.  33,  4.  "The  word  of  the  Lord  is  right  and  al) 
his  works  are  done  in  truth," 

68.  Also  from  Heb.  6,  18.     "It  is  impossible  for  God  to  lie.' 

69.  Men  often  make  promises  which  they  do  not  keep.     Why?     Be- 

cause  they  don't  want  to. 

70.  Yes,  or  there  may  be  another  reason.     Because  they  can't. 

71.  God  never  makes  a  promise  which  he  does  not  mean  or  is  not 

able  to  keep,  and  what  do  we  call  him  on  that  account? 
We  call  him  truthful. 

72.  To    what   should    this   truthfulness   of   God    move    us?      It    should 

move  us  to  be  truthful  also. 

73.  And  because  God  is  truthful  how  should  we  regard  his  promises? 

As  perfectly  reliable  and  trustworthy. 


138  LESSON   42. 


LESSON  42.     THE  TRINITY. 

(Question  143-148.) 

1.  (143)    "Who  is  the  true  God?"   "God  the  Father,  God  the  Son,  and 

God  the  Holy  Ghost,  three  persons  in  one  essence." 

2.  In  our  last'  lesson  we  considered  the  being  and  attributes  of  God. 

Which  question  did  we  answer?  We  answered  the  question: 
"What  is  God?" 

3.  And   with   what   question    does   today's   lesson   begin?     With   the 

question:   "Who  is  the  true  God?" 

4.  In  answer  to  the  question:    "What?"  you  describe  a  thing.     But 

what  do  you  describe  in  answer  to  the  question:  "Who?" 
We  describe  a  person. 

5.  Who     discovered     America?     Christopher     Columbus     discovered 

America. 

6.  Who  was  the  first  president  of  the  United  States?     George  Wash- 

ington was  the  first  president  of  the  United  States. 

7.  So  you  see,  the  question  "Who"  requires  a  person  or  persons  for 

its  answer.  What  does  our  answer  to  question  143  say  as  to 
the  divine  persons?  There  are  three  persons,  God  the  Father, 
God  the  Son,  and  God  the  Holy  Ghost. 

8.  And  what  else  does  this  answer  say  about  God?     it  says  there 

are  three  persons  in  one  essence. 

9.  There  are  three  persons,  and  yet  there  is  but  one  God  and  not 

three  gods.  How  many  true  gods  are  there?  There  is  but 
one  true  God. 

10.  (144)   "What  passages  of  holy  Scripture  prove  that  there  is  but 

one  God?"  Read  the  first  Deut.  6,  4.  "  Hear,  O  Israel:  the 
Lord  our  God  is  one  Lord." 

11.  To  what  people  was  Moses  here  speaking?     He  was  speal<ing  to 

Israel. 

12.  And  what  does  he  say  of  the  God  of  Israel?     He  says  the  God 

of  Israel    is  one  Lord. 

13.  How  did   Israel   in  this   regard   differ  from   the  heathen  nations 

.around  them?     The   heathen    nations   had    many   gods. 

14.  What  does  the  apostle  Paul  say  1   Cor.  8,  4.?     "There   is   none 

other  God   but  one." 

15.  There  are  other  things  which  men  fear,  love,  and  trust  in  as  gods. 

But  these  things  are  not  really  gods.  What  are  they?  They 
are  idols. 

16.  And  what  does  God  say  of  all  such  idols  in  the  first  command- 

ment?    "Thou  shait  have  no  other  gods  before  me." 

17.  What  does  St.  Paul  say  Eph.  4,  6.?     "One  God  and  Father  of  all, 

who  is  above  all,  and  through  all,  and  in  you  all." 

18.  So  the  Savior  himself  says  in  his  high  priestly  prayer,  John  17,  3. 

"This  is  eternal  life,  that  they  miglit  i<now  thee,  the  only  true 
God,  and  Jesus  Christ,  whom  thou  hast  sent." 

19.  The  same  is  taught  in  1  Tim.  2,  5.     "There  is  one  God  and  one 

mediator  between  God  and  men,  the  Man  Christ  Jesus." 

20.  As  how  many  persons  has  God  revealed  Himself?     As  three. 


LESSON   42.  139 

I'l.  (lod  is  one,  and  yet  He  is  three.  He  is  one  in  essence  or  being, 
and  yet  three  persons.  ].,et  me  give  you  a  word  which  ex- 
l)resses  this  thought.  When  we  wish  to  say  that  God  is  one 
and  yet  three,  we  say  that  he  is  triune.  This  word  is  com- 
posed of  which  two  syllables?  It  is  composed  of  the  syl- 
lables  "tri"   and   "une." 

22.  What  does  the  syllable  "une"  express  when  used  with  reference 

to  God?     It  says  that  God  is  one. 

23.  And  what  does  the  syllable  "tri"  express?     It  says  that  God   is 

three. 

24.  Children,   here   we   have   a  great   mystei'y,   something  which  we 

can  not  understand.  Yet  we  believe  it  because  we  find  it 
plainly  taught  in  the  Scriptures.  Question  145  gives  us  the 
Scripture  proof  for  this  doctrine.  Where  do  we  get  this 
proof?     We  get  it  from  the  Scriptures. 

25.  (145   "How  do  you   prove  that  in  one  divine  essence  there  are 

three  persons?"  What  is  the  first  proof?  "At  the  baptism  of 
Christ  God  reveals  himself  as  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost." 

26.  You  will  find  this  baptism  of  Christ  recorded  in  Math.  3,  16.  17. 

"Jesus,  when  He  was  baptized,  went  up  straightway  out  of 
the  water:  and,  lo,  the  heavens  were  opened  unto  him,  and 
he  saw  the  Spirit  of  God  descending  like  a  dove,  and  lighting 
upon  him:  and,  lo,  a  voice  from  heaven,  saying,  This  is  my 
beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased." 

27.  How  did  God  the  Father  make  himself  known  on  this  occasion? 

He  spoke  from  heaven  saying:  "This  is  my  beloved  Son,  in 
whom   I  am  well  pleased." 

28.  And  where  was  God  the  Son?     He  stood  in  the  water,  being  bap- 

tized. 

29.  Was  the  person  who  called  from  heaven   the  same  person  who 

stood  in  the  water?     No,  he  was  a  different  person. 

30.  And  what  is  said  of  the  Holy  Ghost?     He  descended  like  a  dove 

and  lighted  on  him. 

31.  Was  this   person   who   came   like   a   dove  the  same   person   who 

stood  in  the  water?     No,  he  was  a  different  person. 

32.  Was  he  the  same  person  who  spoke  from  heaven?     No,   he  was 

a   different   person. 

33.  How  many  distinct  persons,  therefore,  are  here  mentioned?  Three 

distinct  persons  are  mentioned. 

34.  Which   IS  the  second  proof  furnished  by  question  145  from  the 

Bible  that  there  are  three  persons  in  God?  "Christ  com- 
mands to  baptize  all  nations  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  the 
Son,  and   the   Holy  Ghost." 

35.  You  will  find  this  command  recorded  in  Matth.  28,  19.     Read  it. 

"Go  ye  therefore  and  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in 
the    name   of  the    Father,   and   of  the   Son,   and   of  the    Holy 

Ghost." 

36.  In   whose   name   are   men   to   be   baptized?     In    the   name    of  the 

Father,   Son,  and    Holy  Ghost. 

37.  These  three  names  do  not  apply  to  the  same  person,   but  they 

stand  for  how  many  persons?     They  stand  for  three  persons. 

38.  If  there  were  not  three  but  only  one  person  in  God,  how  do  you 

suppose  this  command  would  read?  Baptize  them  in  the 
name  of  God. 


140  LESSON   42. 

39.  Even  in  the  Old  Testament  we  find  this  doctrine  of  the  Trinity 

indicated,  although  it  is  taught  more  plainly  in  the  New  Tes- 
tament. In  many  passages  we  find  that  God  speaks  of  him- 
self in  the  plural  number,  thus  indicating  that  there  is  more 
than  one.  Let  us  hear  some  of  these  passages,  for  instance 
Gen.  1,  26.  "And  God  said,  Let  us  make  man  in  our  image, 
after  our  likeness." 

40.  So  also  in  Gen.  3,  22.     "And  the   Lord  God  said,  Behold  the  man 

is  become  as  one  of  us." 

4L  That  there  are  three  persons  is  also  indicated  in  the  Old  Testa- 
ment benediction,  as  we  find  it  recorded  in  Num.  6,  22-26. 
"The  Lord  spake  unto  IVIoses,  saying,  speak  unto  Aaron  and 
unto  his  sons,  saying,  on  this  wise  ye  shall  bless  the  children 
of  Israel,  saying  unto  them:  The  Lord  bless  thee  and  keep 
thee:  The  Lord  make  his  face  shine  upon  thee,  and  be  gra- 
cious unto  thee:  The  Lord  lift  up  his  countenance  upon  thee, 
and  give  thee  peace." 

42.  The  same  is  true  of  the  so-called  New  Testament  benediction,  as 

we  find  it  in  2  Cor.  13,  14.  Read  the  passage.  "The  grace 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  love  of  God,  and  the  com- 
munion  of  the    Holy   Ghost,    be  with   you   all.     Amen." 

43.  Each    of   these    three    persons    is    eternal,    almighty,    all-knowing, 

everywhere  present:  that  is,  has  all  the  divine  attributes. 
In  this  respect  they  are  all  alike,  and  yet  in  other  respects 
there  is  a  difference  between  these  three  persons.  These 
differences  let  us  now  consider.  What  are  we  now  to  con- 
sider? We  are  to  consider  the  differences  between  the  three 
persons  of  the  Trinity. 

44.  (146)    "Who   is   God   the   Father?"     "God  the   Father   is  the  first 

person  of  the  Godhead,  who  from  eternity  begat  the  Son  as 
his  image,  and  has  created  all  things,  preserves,  and  governs 
them." 
4.5.     Which   person  of  the  holy   Trinity   is  God  the  Father?     God   the 
Father  is  the  first  person  of  the  Godhead. 

46.  And  what  is  said  of  his  relation  to  the  Son?     He  from  eternity 

begat  the  Son  as  his  image. 

47.  Since  when  does  this  relation  exist  between  the  Father  and  the 

Son?     From  eternity. 

48.  And  what  work  is  here  mentioned  as  the  special  work  of  God  the 

Father?  He  has  created  all  things,  preserves,  and  governs 
them. 

49.  Can  we  say  of  God  the  Holy  Ghost  that  he  begat  the  Son?     No, 

we  cannot  say  this  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

50.  Of  whom  alone  can  it  be  said  that  he  begat  the  Son?     It  can  be 

said    only   of  the    Father. 

51.  (147)  "Who  is  God  the  Son?"     "God  the  Son  is  the  second  person 

of  the  Godhead,  who  is  begotten  of  the  Father  from  eternity, 
has  assumed  human  nature  and  thus  become  our  Redeemer 
and   Mediator." 

52.  Which  person  of  the  Godhead  is  the  Son?     He  is  the  second  per- 

son of  the  Godhead. 

53.  In  what  relation  does  the  Son  stand  to  the  Father?     He  was  be- 

gotten of  the  Father  from  eternity. 

54.  Can  we  say:    the  Son  was  begotten  of  the  Holy  Ghost?     No,  He 

was  begotten  of  the  Father. 


LESSON  43.  141 

55.  Can   we   say:      He  proceeds  from   the   Father  or  from   the  Holy 

Ghost?     No,  he  was   begotten  of  the   Father. 

56.  And  what  is  said  of  the  Son  with  reference  to  us?     He  assumed 

human  nature,  and  thus  became  our  Redeemer  and  Mediator. 

57.  Who  assumed  human  nature;   that  is,  became  our  brother,  a  true 

human  being?     God  the  Son  became  our  brother. 

58.  Can  we  say  of  God  the  Holy  Ghost  that  he  became  our  brother; 

that  is,  a  true  human  being?  No,  only  God  the  Son  took 
upon  himself  our  human  nature. 

59.  Can  we  say  of  God  the  Father  that  he  became  a  human  being? 

No,  this  can  be  said  only  of  the  Son.  He  alone  is  our  Re- 
deemer and    Mediator. 

60.  (14S)    "Who   is   God   the  Holy  Ghost?"     "God   the    Holy   Ghost   is 

the  third  person  of  the  Godhead,  who  from  eternity  proceeds 
from  the  Father  and  the  Son,  and  through  the  word  and 
sacraments  regenerates  and  sanctifies  us." 
6i.  In  what  relation  does  the  Holy  Ghost  stand  to  the  Father  and 
the  Son?  He  from  eternity  proceeds  from  the  Father  and 
the   Son. 

62.  Does   the   Father   proceed   from   the   Holy  Ghost?     No,  the    Holy 

Ghost  proceeds  from  the   Father. 

63.  Does  the  Son  proceed  from  the  Holy  Ghost?     No,  the  Holy  Ghost 

proceeds  from  the  Son. 

64.  And  what  is  said  of  the  Holy  Ghost  in  reference  to  us?     Through 

the   word   and   sacraments   he    regenerates   and   sanctifies   us. 

65.  When  I  say  the  first  person  is  named  the  Father,  the  second  the 

Son.  and  the  third  the  Holy  Ghost,  what  difference  is  thus 
expressed?     A  difference  of  name. 

66.  When  I  say:    the  Father  begat  the  Son,  the  Son  was  begotten  of 

the  Father,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  proceeds  from  the  Father 
and  the  Son,  thus  giving  attributes  which  belong  to  each 
person  separately,  what  kind  of  difference  is  this?  This  is 
a  difference  of  personal  attributes. 

67.  And  when  1  say:  The  Father  created  us,  the  Son  redeemed  us,  and 

the  Holy  Ghost  sanctifies  us,  thus  mentioning  distinct  works, 
what  distinction  do  I  make?  I  distinguish  between  their 
works. 

68.  Let  us  remember  now  that  each  of  the  three  persons  of  the  Holy 

Trinity  is  instrumental  in  our  salvation.  We  may  say:  The 
Father  planned  our  salvation,  the  Son  carried  it  out,  and  the 
Holy  Ghost  applies  it  to  us  and  enables  us  to  enjoy  it.  To 
whom,  therefore,  are  we  indebted  for  our  salvation?  To  God 
the  Father,  God  the  Son,  and  God  the  Holy  Ghost. 


LESSON   43.     THE   WILL   OF   GOD. 

(Question  149-150.) 

1.  What  (lid  we  learn  about  God  in  our  last  lesson?     We    learned 

who    God    is. 

2.  What  did  we  learn  in  the  two  lessons  before?     We  learned  what 

God    is  and  what   his  attributes  are. 

3.  Tell  me  what  God  is.     God   is  a  spirit. 


142  LESSON  43. 

4.  What   kind  of  spirit   is   God?     God    is  a   spirit  who    is   eternal,  al- 

mighty, all-knowing,  everywhere  present,  holy,  righteous, 
merciful   and   truthful. 

5.  Now  tell  me:    who  is  the  true  God?     He  is  the  triune  God,  Father, 

Son,  and    Holy   Ghost. 

6.  In  today's  lesson  we  are  to  consider  something  else  about  God. 

What  is  the  subject  of  today's  lesson?  Tell  me  from  ques- 
tion  149.  We  are  to  consider  the  will  of  God. 

7.  (149)     "What   is    the    gracious    will   of   God   towards   us?"     "His 

will  is,  through  grace  for  Christ's  sake,  to  forgive  us  our 
sins  and  to   be  our  merciful    Father." 

8.  We  have  learned  what  a  great  and  mighty  being  God  is.     There- 

fore it  is  very  impoi-tant  that  we  also  learn  what  He  wants 
of  us  and  how  he  is  disposed  towards  us.  What  does  God 
say  to  us  in  Lev.  19,  2?  "Ye  shall  be  holy:  for  I,  the  Lord, 
your  God  am  holy." 

9.  God  is  holy  himself  and  wants  us  to  be  holy  also.     But  when  we 

examine  ourselves  in  the  light  of  his  commandments,  what 
do  we  find?     We  find  that  we  are  sinners. 

10.  And  what  has   God  threatened  to  do  with   sin?     He   has  threat- 

ened to  punish   it. 

11.  Which  attribute  of  God  moves  him  to  punish  sin?     His  righteous- 

ness. 

12.  God  has,  however,  not  only  made  a  threat  concerning  sin;  he  has 

Also  given  a  promise.  What  has  he  promised  to  do  with  sin? 
To   forgive   it. 

13.  Which  attribute  in  God  moves  him  to  forgive  sin?     His  mercy. 

14.  Yes,  or  we  might  say:    his  grace.    Now  tell  me  from  question  (not 

the  answer)  149,  what  will  of  God  it  is  that  we  are  to  con- 
sider.    It  is  a  gracious  will. 

15.  What   is   the   gracious   will   of   God   with    reference   to   our   sins? 

His  will    is  to  forgive   them. 

16.  What  would  God  have  a  perfect  right  to  do  with  om-  sin?     He 

would  iiave  a  perfect  right  to  punish  it. 

17.  And  this  he  also  does  with  the  impenitent.     What  does  God  say 

in  the  conclusion  of  the  ten  commandments?  "I,  the  Lord 
thy  God,  am  a  jealous  God,  visiting  the  iniquity  of  the  fathers 
upon  the  children  unto  the  third  and  fourth  generation  of 
them   that   hate   me." 

18.  What  is  the  punishment  of  sin?     Death  and  damnation, 

19.  Read  what  is  written  Psalms  7,   11-1.3.     "God   is  angry  with  the 

wicked  every  day.  If  he  turn  not,  he  will  whet  his  sword; 
he  hath  bent  his  bow,  and  made  it  ready.  He  hath  also 
prepared  for  him  the  instruments  of  death;  he  ordaineth  his 
arrows  against  the   persecutors." 

20.  But  God  is  not  only  angry  with  the  wicked,  he  is  also  merciful 

toward  those  who  repent  of  their  sins.  This  we  see  from 
Ezek.  33,  11.  "As  I  live,  saith  the  Lord  God,  I  have  no 
pleasure  in  the  death  of  the  wicked;  but  that  the  wicked 
turn  from   his  way  and   live." 

21.  God  is  so  eager  to  have  us  understand  that  he  does  not  delight 

in  the  death  and  damnation  of  men,  that  he  even  assures  us 
of  this  with  an  oath.  He  says:  "as  I  live."  What  is  it 
that  he  would  so  solemnly  impress  irpon  us?  That  he  has 
no  pleasure  in  the  death  of  the  wicked. 


LESSON  43.  143 

22.  But  rather  what  does  he  desire?     That  the  wicked  turn  from  his 

wickedness  and  live. 

23.  When  a  wicked  man  turns  from  his  wickedness:   that  is,  repents 

of  his  sins,  what  is  the  result?     He  shall  live. 

24.  That  is,  God  will  not  visit  upon  him  the  just  consequences  of  his 

sins,  but  forgive  them.  But  how  is  it  possible  for  God  to 
forgive  sins  when  he  has  threatened  to  punish  them?  This 
we  are  told  in  the  next  Scripture  passage  of  today's  lesson, 
namely,  John  3,  16.  Repeat  it.  "For  God  so  loved  the  world, 
that  he  gave  his  only  begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  believeth 
in  him  should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life." 

25.  What  is  here  said  of  God's  disposition  toward  the  world?     God 

loves   the   world. 

26.  What  did  God's  love  to  the  world  prompt  him  to  do?     it  prompted 

him  to   give  his  only   begotten   Son. 

27.  Who  is  this  only  begotten  Son  of  God?     Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

28.  God  gave  this  his  only  Son  to  be  our  brother,  to  suffer  and  die 

for  us.  Jesus  Christ  bore  the  punishment  of  the  sins  of  the 
world.  And  now  what  is  God  willing  and  able  to  do  with 
sin  because  of  Jesus'  sufferings  and  death?  To  forgive  us 
our  sins. 

29.  For  whose  sake  is  God  willing  to  do  this?     For  Christ's  sake. 

30.  What  is  said  in  this  passage  of  those  who  believe  on  Him?     They 

shall   not  perish   but  have  everlasting   life. 

31.  Who  shall  not  perish  but  have  everlasting  life?     Those  who  be- 

lieve  in  Jesus  Christ. 

32.  So  also  St.   Peter  testifies  to   Cornelius   and  his  household.  Acts 

10,  43.  "To  him  give  all  the  prophets  witness,  that  through 
his  name  whosoever  believeth  in  him  shall  receive  remission 
of  sins." 

33.  God  is  ready  and  eager  to  forgive  sins  for  Christ's  sake  if  men 

will  only  turn  from  their  wickedness.  There  is  no  reason 
why  a  single  human  being  should  be  lost.  This  we  see  from 
1  Tim.  2,  4.  "Who  will  have  all  men  to  be  saved,  and  to 
come  unto  the  knowledge  of  the  truth." 

34.  According  to  this  passage,  what  is  the  gracious  will  of  God?     His 

will  is  that  all  men  should   be  saved. 

35.  And  he  also  tells  us  how  men  are  to  be  saved.    What  must  men 

know  to  be  saved?    They  must  know  the  truth. 

36.  The  great  truth  that  men  are  to  know  is  the  blessed  fact  that 

God  is  merciful,  and  for  Christ's  sake  is  ready  to  forgive 
sin.  This  truth  we  call  the  Gospel.  What  great  truth  does 
the  Gospel  set  forth?  The  great  truth  that  God  forgives  sins 
for  Christ's  sake. 

37.  The  same  is  told  us  by  the  apostle  St.  Peter  in  his  second  letter, 

chapter  3,  verse  9.  "The  Lord  is  not  slack  concerning  his 
promises  as  some  men  count  slackness:  but  is  longsuffering 
to  us-ward,  not  willing  that  any  should  perish,  but  that  all 
should  come  to  repentance." 

38.  All    men    are    in    danger    of    perishing    everlastingly.     Why?     Be- 

cause they  are  all  sinners. 

39.  But  God  is  not  indifferent  toward  this  sad  and  horrible  danger. 

What  does   the  apostle  here   say   of  God  in  this   regard? 
He  says  that  God   is   not  willing   that  any  should   perish. 


144 


LESSON  44. 


40.  And  what  must  be  clone  that  men  may  not  perish?     They  must 

come  to   repentance. 

41.  Yes,  this  is  the  only  way  in  which  men  may  be  saved  from  ever- 

lasting damnation.  Read  what  St.  Paul  says  Rom.  11,  32. 
"For  God  hath  concluded  them  all  in  unbelief,  that  he  might 
have  mercy  upon  all." 

42.  Upon  whom   has  God  mercy?     God   has  mercy  on  all. 

43.  And   what  does  this  mercy  move  him   to  do?      It   m'oves   him   to 

forgive  sins. 

44.  And  after  he  has  forgiven  us  our  sins,  in  what  relation  does  he 

propose  to  stand  toward  us?  He  wants  to  be  our  merciful 
father. 

45.  Read  Psalm  103,  13.     "Like  as  a  father  pitieth  his  children,  so  the 

the  Lord  pitieth  them  that  fear  him." 
4G.     How   does   a  father   feel   toward   his   children   when   they   are   in 
trouble?     He   pities  them. 

47.  And  what  does  this  pity  move  him  to  do?     It  moves  him  to  help 

them. 

48.  So  we  read  about  the  father  of  the  prodigal  son  (Luke  15,  11-24.) 

How  did  his  father  receive  him  when  he  came  back  con- 
fessing his  sins?     He  fell   upon   his   neck  and   kissed   him. 

49.  Yes,  he  received  him  with  joy.     He  did  not  remember  his  former 

wickedness  against  him.  He  received  him  as  his  dear  son, 
provided  him  with  food  and  clothing  and  took  him  into  his 
house  as  though  nothing  had  occurred.  So  God  wants  to  be 
our  gracious  father.  What  does  a  father  provide  for  his 
children?     He  provides  food,  clothing,  and  shelter, 

50.  Yes.  all  this  and  more  God  is  willing  to  do  for  us.     How  impor- 

tant it  is  that  we  poor  sinners  know  this  and  believe  it!  Let 
us  not  have  wrong  notions  of  God.  Where  may  we  get  the 
right  knowledge  of  God's  will  towards  us?  We  get  it  from 
the  Bible. 

51.  Yes,  in  the  holy  Scriptures  God  has  revealed  himself  unto  us  as 

a  merciful  father.  Plow  did  the  Savior  teach  us  to  address 
God  in  the  Lord's  Prayer?   He  taught  us  to  say:  "Our  Father." 

52.  (150)   "But  of  what  use  is  this  knowledge  of  the  divine  essence 

and  will  to  us?"  "That  we  may  from  it  obtain  the  true 
faith,  and  through  faith  be  saved." 

53.  What  are  we  to  obtain?     We  are  to  obtain  the  true  faith. 

54.  Yes,  and  the  true  faith  is  the  confidence  that  for  Christ's  sake 

God  forgives  sins  and  is  our  merciful  father.  And  what  is 
the  blessed  result  of  this  true  faith?  Through  it  we  are 
saved. 

55.  So  the  Savior  says  .John  17.3.  "This  is  life  eternal,  that  they  might 

know  thee  the  only  true  God,  and  Jesus  Christ,  whom  thou 
hast  sent." 


THE   FIRST  ARTICLE 


LESSON    44.     FAITH. 
(Question  151-156.) 

(151)"Repeat  the  first  article  of  creation."     "I  believe  in  God  the 
Father  Almighty,   Maker  of  heaven  and   earth." 


LESSON  44.  145 

2.  "What  does  this  mean?"     "I   believe  that  God   lias  made  me  and 

all  creatures;  that  he  has  given  me  my  body  and  soul,  eyes, 
ears,  and  all  my  members,  my  reason  and  all  my  senses,  and 
still  preserves  them;  also  clothing  and  shoes,  meat  and  drink, 
house  and  home,  wife  and  children,  fields,  cattle,  and  all  my 
goods;  that  He  richly  and  daily  provides  me  with  all  that 
I  need  to  support  this  body  and  life;  that  He  defends  me 
against  all  danger,  and  guards  and  protects  me  from  all  evil; 
and  all  this  purely  out  of  fatherly,  divine  goodness  arid  mercy, 
without  any  merit  or  worthiness  in  me;  for  all  which  it  is 
my  duty  to  thank  and  praise,  to  serve  and  obey  Him.  This 
is   most  certainly  true." 

3.  Repeat  the  first  two  words  in  the  first  article.     "I   believe."    •     - 

4.  When  we  say:  I  believe,  is  this  singvilar  or  plural  number?     It  is 

singular  number. 
ii.     How  would  we  say  in  the  plural  number?     We  would  say:    We 

believe. 
6      (153)  "Why  do  we  say:    I  believe,  and  not,  we  believe?"  "Because 

each  one  must  believe  for  himself  if  he  would  be  saved." 

7.  What  must  we  do  to  be  saved?     We  must  believe. 

8.  Read  what  the  apostle  says  Heb.  11.  6.     "But  without  faith   it  is 

impossible  to  please  him:  for  he  that  cometh  to  God  must 
believe  that  he  is  and  that  he  is  a  rewarder  of  them  that 
diligently  seek  him." 

9.  What,  therefore,  is  it  that  God  requires  of  us?     He  requires  that 

we  believe. 

10.  So  the  Savior  himself  also  says  Mark  16,  16.     "He  that  believeth 

and  is  baptized  shall  be  saved,  but  he  that  believeth  not  shall 
be   damned." 

11.  Now,  this  faith  must  be  a  personal  matter.     Each  must  believe 

for  himself.  So  the  prophet  Habakkuk  says  chapter  2  verse 
4.     "The  just  shall  live  by  his  faith." 

12.  That  is,  not  by  the  faith  of  another.     What  God  offers  us  each 

must  take  for  himself.  Can  one  man  eat  or  drink  or  sleep 
for  another?     No,   he  can    not. 

13.  If  I  am  hungry,  who  must  eat  if  I  am  to  be  fed?     You  yourself 

must  eat. 

14.  If  you  are  thirsty,  who  must  drink  in  order  that  your  thirst  may 

be   quenched?     I    myself   must   drink. 

15.  If  a  man  is  tired  and  sleepy,  who  must  rest  and  sleep  in  order 

that  he  may  be  refreshed?     The  man  himself. 

16.  One  man,  therefore,  can  not  believe  for  another.     If  a  man  have 

a  believing  wife,  her  faith  will  not  save  him;  but,  if  he  is 
to  be  saved,  who  must  believe?     He  himself  must  believe. 

17.  What  must  every  man  be  able  to  say  of  faith  if  it  is  to  save  him? 

He  must  be  able  to  say:    I  believe. 

18.  This  was  the  case  with   St.  Paul,  as  we  see  from   2  Tim.  1,  12. 

"Nevertheless  I  am  not  ashamed;  for  I  know  whom  I  have  be- 
lieved, and  am  pursuaded  that  he  is  able  to  keep  that  which 
I  have  committed  unto  him  against  that  day." 

19.  Faith  must  express  a  personal  conviction.     How  did  St.  Paul  ex- 

press this  in  the  passage  you  have  just  read?  He  says:  J 
know  whom   I  have  believed." 

20.  (145)   "What  is  meant  here  by:   to  believe?"     "To  believe  means 

not  only  to   hold   that  to   be  true  which  we   have  heard,   but 
likewise  to  put  our  confidence  in   it." 
10 


146 


LESSON  44. 


21.  You  believe  that  on  the   west  coast  of  the  United   States   there 

is  a  city  called  San  Francisco.  Why  do  you  believe  this? 
Because   I   learned  it  from  Geography. 

22.  You  never  saw  this  city,  and  yet  you  believe  it  is  there,  because 

you  have  been  so  told.  You  never  would  have  known  it 
unless  some  one  had  told  you.  How  may  we  know  things 
without  seeing  them  ourselves?     When   others  tell    us. 

23.  Yes,  and  by  far  the  greater  part  of  our  knowledge  is  of  this  kind. 

Tell  me  from  the  answer  to  question  1.54  how  we  know  the 
things  which  we  believe  as  Christians.     We  have  heard  them. 

24.  So  the  apostle  says  Rom.  10,  14.     "How  shall  they  believe  in  Him 

of  whom  they  have  not  heard?" 

25.  Therefore,   before  we   can   believe  in   the   Savior,  what  is   neces- 

sary?    We  must  hear  of  Him. 

26.  Why  do  not  the  heathen  believe  in  the   Savior?     Because   they 

have  not  heard  of  Him. 

27.  Now,  it  depends  a  great  deal  upon  our  informant  whether  we  be- 

lieve his  word  or  not.  When  a  man  is  known  to  be  a  liar, 
how  would  we  regard  anything  he  says?  We  would  not 
believe  what   he   says. 

28.  But  when  an  honest,  trustworthy  man  tells  us  a  thing,  how  do  we 

regard  it?     We  believe  it. 

29.  So  the  apostle   says   in  the  first  epistle  of   St.  .John,   chapter  5, 

verse  9,:  "If  we  receive  the  witness  of  men,  the  wit- 
ness of  God  is  greater:  For  this  is  the  witness  of  God  which 
he  hath  testified  of  his  Son." 
.30.  If  we  believe  what  trustworthy  men  say,  much  more  should  we 
receive  whose  word?  Much  more  should  we  receive  God's 
word,   his  testimony. 

31.  And  where  does  God  tell  us  what  we  are  to  believe?     He  tells 

us  in  the  Bible. 

32.  What  is  the  Bible?     The  Bible  is  God's  word. 

33.  And  how  should  we  regard  everything  which  the  Bible  teaches? 

We  should  regard  it  as  absolutely  true. 

34.  What   does    the   Savior   say   of   God's   word   John    17,   17.?     "Thy 

word  is  truth." 

35.  Now   repeat  .John   3,   36.     "He   that   believeth    not   the   Son    shall 

not  see  life." 

36.  When  the  Savior  speaks  to  us  in  His  word,  how  should  we  re- 

gard what  he  says?     We  should  believe  him. 

37.  But  what  does  the  Savior  here  say  of  him  who  does  not  believe 

him?     He  shall   not  see  life. 

38.  Thomas  did  not  at  first  believe  the  report  of  the  Savior's  resur- 

rection. He  wanted  to  see  before  he  would  believe.  But 
what  did  the  Savior  himself  say  to  him?  John  20,  29. 
"Thomas,  because  thou  hast  seen  me  thou  hast  believed^ 
blessed  are  they  that  have  not  seen  and  yet  have  believed." 

39.  The  things   which   we   believe   as   Christians   we   believe  not   be- 

cause we  see  them.  Tell  me  some  of  the  things  which  we 
do  not  see  and  yet  believe.  We  do  not  see  God  and  yet  we 
believe  in  Him,  We  do  not  see  heaven  and  yet  we  believe 
there  is  a  heaven. 

40.  Repeat  Heb.  11,  1.     "Faith   is  the  substance  of  things  hoped  for, 

and  the  evidence  of  things  not  seen." 


Lesson  44.  l47 

41.  Our  Christian  faith  has  to  do  not  with  visible  but  with  what  kind 

of  things?     With  things  not  seen,  invisible  things. 

42.  It  deals  not  only  with  things  that  are  present,  but  also  with  what 

kind  of  things?     With  things  hoped  for. 

43.  Yes,   and   these   invisil)le  things   are  just  as   real   as   the   things 

we  see;  and  the  future  things  are  just  as  true  as  the  things 
which  are  present.  How  then  should  we  regard  that  which 
we  hear  from  the  word  of  God?  We  should  regard  it  as  re- 
liable and  true. 

44.  Not  only  must   we  hear  and   regard  as   true  what  God  tells  us, 

but  what  is  the  last  and  chief  part  of  faith  according  to  ques- 
tion 154?  That  we  put  our  confidence  in  God  and  what  he 
tells  us. 

45.  When  you  say  of  a  certain  doctor:   I  have  no  faith  in  him,  what 

do  you  men?     I   mean,  I  do  not  trust  him. 

46.  Or  if  you  say  of  another:   I  have  great  faith  in  him,  what  do  you 

mean?  I  mean,  I  consider  him  a  good  doctor,  I  have  confi- 
dence in   him  and  am  willing  to  entrust  myself  to  his  care. 

47.  Yes,  and  that  is  just  what  we  mean  when  we  say:   I  believe  in 

God,  only  that  we  trust  him  more  than  we  trust  any  man. 
Give  me  another  word  for  the  word  believe.  I  trust,  I  de- 
pend upon,   I   have  confidence  in. 

48.  When  the    scriptures    say   of   Abraham,    Gen.    15,    6,   that   he   be- 

lieved God.  what  do  they  mean?  They  mean,  Abraham 
trusted  in  God.  he  had  confidence  in  Him,  he  depended  upon 
him. 

49.  (155)    "What  does   it  mean  to   believe   in   God  the  Father,   Son, 

and  Holy  Ghost?"  "To  hold  him  alone  to  be  the  true  God, 
and  to  put  our  confidence  in   Him  and  his  promises." 

50.  Look  at  question   (not  answer)   155  and  tell  me  what  little  word 

is  printed  in  italics?     The  little  word  "in". 

51.  We   are  not  simply   to   believe   that  there   is   a   god.     There  are 

some  people  foolish  enough  not  to  believe  even  the  existence 
of  God.  What  do  the  Scriptures  say  of  such  people?  Ps. 
14,  1.     "The  fool  hath  said  in  his  heart,  there  is  no  God." 

52.  What  do  the  Scriptures  call  such  a  man?     They  call  him  a  fool. 

53.  But  we  are  not  simply  to  believe  that  there  is  a  God.     This  even 

the  Devil  believes,  as  we  see  from  James  2,  19.  "Thou  be- 
lievest  that  there  is  one  God;  thou  doest  well:  the  devils 
also   believe,   and   tremble." 

54.  The  devils  believe  that  there  is  a  God.     But  they  have  no  con- 

fidence in  him,  in  fact,  the  apostle  tells  us  the  very  oppo- 
site is  the  case.  How  do  they  regard  God?  They  tremble 
they  are  afraid  of  him. 

55.  Yes,   they   tremble  at  the  thought  of  His  justice.     They   do   not 

believe  in  God.  But  we  believe  in  God.  And  who  is  the  God 
in  whom  we  believe?  He  is  God  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy 
Ghost. 

56.  And  what  do  we  hold  him  to  be?     We   hold   him  to   be  the  only 

true  God. 

57.  And  what  else  does  this  little  word  "la""  express?     It  expresses 

that  we  put  our  confidence  in  him  and  his  promises. 

58.  How   does    Luther    express    this    in   his    explanation    of   the    first 

commandment?  "We  should  fear,  love,  and  trust  in  God 
above  all  thmgs." 


148  LESSON  4^. 


59.  (156)  "Why  do  yovt  say  in  the  first  article:   I  believe  in  God  the 

Father?"  "Because  the  first  person  in  the  Godhead  is  not 
only  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  but  through  Him 
also  our  Father." 

60.  As  how  many  persons  has  God  revealed  himself?     As  three. 

61.  Whic  1  is  the  first  person?     God  the  Father  is  the  first  person. 

62.  Whose   father'  is   the   first   person   of   ^he   Godhead?     He    is   the 

father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

63.  This  we  see  plainly  from  Eph.  3,  14.  15.     "For  this  cause  I   bow 

my  knees  unto  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  of  whom 
the  whole  family  in  heaven  and  earth  is  named." 

64.  But   God   the  Father  is   not  only  the  father  of  our  Lord   Jesus 

Christ,  but  through  Him  He  is  also  whose  father?  He  is 
also  our  Father. 

65.  If  Christ  is  our  brother,  and  God  is  Christ's  Father,  then  in  what 

relation  does  God  stand  to  us?     He  is  our  Father. 

66.  So  we  read  John  8,  12.     "But  as  many  as  received   Him,  to  them 

gave  He  power  to  become  the  sons  of  God,  even  to  them  that 
believe  on   his  name." 

67.  What  is  here  said  of  those  who  receive  Christ,  that  is,  believe  on 

His  name?  To  them  God  gave  power  to  become  the  sons  of 
God. 

68.  Likewise  in  the  103rd  Psalm,  verse  13,  God  is  called  our  Father. 

"Like  as  a  father  pitieth  his  children,  so  the  Lord  pitieth 
them   that  fear   him." 

69.  What  a  comforting  truth  this  is  that  the  great  God  is  our  dear 

Father!  And  through  whom  does  God  enter  into  this  rela- 
tion with  us?     Through   our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

70.  Only   those  who  •  acknowledge   Christ   to   be   their   Lord,   that   is. 

true  Christians,  can  truly  regard  God  as  their  Father.  Read 
what  is  written  of  Christ  John  1,  14.  "The  Word  was  made 
flesh,  and  dwelt  among  us,  and  we  beheld  his  glory,  the 
glory  as  of  the  only  begotten  Son  of  the  Father,  full  of  grace 
and  truth." 

71.  Christ  is  the  only  begotten  Son  of  God.     He  is,  so  to  speak,  by 

nature  the  Son  of  God.  And  who  are  the  sons  of  God  by 
adoption?     Christians  are  the  sons  of  God  by  adoption. 

72.  And  this  is  a  great  honor,  as  we  read  in  1  John  3,  1.     "Behold 

what  manner  of  love  the  Father  hath  bestowed  upon  us,  that 
we  should  be  called  the  sons  of  God." 


LESSON    45.     CREATION. 
(Question    157-159.) 

What  do  we  call  God  in  the  first  article  of  the  Creed.     We  call 
him   Father. 

Which  attribute  of  God  do  we  mention  in  this  article?     We  call 

God   almighty. 
(157)    "Why  do  we  add:    almighty?     "Because   in   creation,  which 

is  especially  ascribed  to  the  Father,  the  omnipotence  of  God 

above  all  most  gloriously  manifested  itself." 
To  which  person  of  the  Trinity  is  the  work  of  creation  especially 

ascribed?     To   God    the    Father. 


LESSON  45.  149 

5.     What  does  it  mean   when  I  say  God  is  almighty?     That   he  can 

do  whatsoever  he  wills. 
(i.     In   whicli  woiiv  especially  did  God  show  that  he  is  almighty?     In 

the  work  of  creation. 

7.  Read    Rom.    1.    20.     "For    the    invisible    things    of    him    from    the 

creation  of  the  world  are  clearly  seen,  being  understood  by 
the  things  that  are  made,  even  his  eternal  power  and  God- 
head." 

8.  God  himself  is  invisible.     We  can  not  see  him,  but  what  can  we 

see?     We  can  see  his  works. 

9.  And  what  do  these  works  show?     They  show  his  eternal   power 

and    Godhead. 

10.  Let  me  give  you  an  example  of  something  in  nature  which  we 

can  not  see,  though  we  can  see  its  effects.  What  is  it  that 
drives  our  street  cars?     It  is  electricity. 

11.  Can  you  see  electricity?     No,  we  can  not  see  it. 

12.  But  what  can  you  see  in  connection  with  it?     We  can  see  what 

it  does,   how  it  works. 

13.  Read    Ps.    104,    24.     "O    Lord,    how    manifold    are   thy    works!      In 

wisdom  hast  thou  made  them  all:  and  the  earth  is  full  of  thy 
riches." 

14.  What  is  here  said  of  the  works  of  God?     They  are  manifold. 

15.  Children,  look  around  you  and  see  the  endless  variety  of  plants 

and  animals  on  the  earth;  the  endless  number  of  stars  in 
the  heavens;  the  endless  variety  of  fish  in  the  sea.  How  is 
God  said  to  have  made  all  these  things?  He  made  them  all 
in  wisdom. 

16.  What  a  wise  arrangement  it  is  that  day  and  night  follow  each 

other,  that  the  seasons  come  and  go  in  their  order,  that 
every  plant  has  its  own  seed,  that  every  animal  produces  its 
own  kind,  that  every  plant  and  animal  finds  just  those  things 
and  conditions  which  are  necessary  for  its  existence.  When 
we  see  a  fine  clock  or  piece  of  machinery  and  observe  how  ac- 
curately every  part  fits  into  the  other  and  into  the  whole,  and 
how  well  it  performs  its  work,  what  are  we  led  to  admire  in 
the  workman  who  made  it?     We  are  led  to  admire  his  skill. 

17.  For  the  same  reason,  which  of  his  attributes  should  God's  works 

prompt  us  to  adore?     We  should  adore  his  wisdom. 

18.  (158)    "What    benefactions    are    enumerated    in    the    explanation 

of  this  article?"  "Two:  first,  the  creation  of  all  things;  and 
second,   their   preservation   and   government,   or   providence." 

19.  Which  is  the  first  subject  which  we  are  to  consider  in  connection 

with  this  article?     The  creation  of  all  things. 

20.  Suppose  you  were  looking  at  a  beautiful  building,  and  some  one 

would  say:  this  building  has  always  been.  What  would  you 
say  of  such  a  statement?     I  should  say:    it  is  not  true. 

21.  And  why?     Because  the   building   must   have  had   a   beginning,   it 

can  not  have  existed  always. 

22.  And   suppose  some  one   would   say  of  this   building:    it  was   not 

made,  it  just  came  of  itself.  What  would  you  say  of  this 
statement?     I  would  say.  It  is  not  true. 

23.  And    why?     Because    nothing    comes    of    itself.     Some    one    must 

have  made  the  building. 

24.  Now  read  Heb.  3,  4.     "For  every  house  is  builded  by  some  man; 

but   he   that   built   all   things    is   God." 


150  LESSON  45. 

25.  What  do  we  call  God  the  Father  in  this   first  article?     We  call 

him  the  Maker  of  heaven  and  earth. 

26.  (159)  "Why,  then,  do  you  call  God  the  Father:  Creator  of  heaven 

and  earth?"  "Because  He  by  his  almighty  Word  called  all 
things  into  being." 

27.  What  did  God  the  Father  do?     He  called   all  things   into   being. 

28.  So  we  read  in  the  very  first  sentence  of  the  Bible.     Read  it.     "In 

the   beginning   God   created   the  heaven  and  the  earth." 

29.  Here  we  have  a  plain  statement  of  the  fact  that  the  world  did 

not  always  exist,  but  what  is  said  of  the  world?  The  world 
was  created. 

30.  We  also  have  a  plain  statement  of  the  fact  that  the  world  did 

not  come  of  itself.  What  is  said  here  of  God  very  plainly? 
That  God  created  the  heaven  and  the  earth. 

31.  Now   let  us   see  what   it   means   to   create  a  thing.     What   does 

this  answer  to  question  159  say  that  God  did  with  all  things? 
He  called  all  things  into  being. 

32.  That  is,  he  made  things  to  be  that  had  not  existed  before.     To 

create  a  thing  means  to  call  it  into  being.  A  carpenter  may 
make  a  house,  but  what  must  he  have  before  he  can  make 
it?  He  must  have  wood,  stone,  glass,  iron,  and  all  the  ma- 
terial out  of  which  the  house  is  made. 

33.  But  when   God   made  the   world,   what   was  there   that  he  could 

use?     There  was  nothing. 

34.  By  what  word  do  we  express  this  idea  of  making  something  out 

of  nothing?     By  the  word  "create." 

35.  For  example,  whilst  a  tailor  can  make  a  coat,  what  expression 

would  be  misleading?     He  can  create  a  coat. 

36.  Men  can  make  things,  that  is,  they  can  take  material  and  fash- 

ion it  into  buildings,  garments,  works  of  art,  and  the  like; 
but  who  alone  can  create,  that  is,  make  something  out  of 
nothing?  God  alone  can  do  this. 
bV.  Read  Heb.  11, ~ 3.  "Through  faith  we  understand  that  the  worlds 
were  framed  by  the  Word  of  God,  so  that  things  which  are 
seen  were  not  made  of  things  which  do  appear." 

38.  How  were  the  worlds  framed,  that  is,  made?     The  worlds  were 

framed  by  the  Word  of  God. 

39.  When  God  wanted  light  what  was  the  only  thing  necessary  for 

him  to  do?     Read  Gen.  1,  3.     "God  said:  let  there  be  light." 

40.  He   simply  said:     let  there  be  light,  and  what  was  the  result? 

There  was  light. 

41.  When  God  calls  a  thing,  it  is  his  word  that  makes  it.     Read  Ps. 

33,  9.  "For  He  spake  and  it  was  done;  he  commanded  and 
it  stood  fast." 

42.  Wliat  kind  of  a  word  must  that  be  by  the  mere  speaking  of  which 

things  are  called  into  being?     An  almighty  word. 

43.  And  what  things  did  God  thus  create,   or  call  into  being?     He 

called  all  things  into  being. 

44.  Read  John  1,  3.     "All  things  were  made  by  him,  and  without  him 

nothing  was  made  that  was  made." 

45.  When  did  God  make  heaven  and  earth?     Tell  me  from  the  first 

verse  of  the  Bible.     "In  the  beginning." 


LESSON  45.  161 

46.  And  this  was  about  6000  years  ago.     Now  read  the  second  verse 

in  the  Bible.  "The  earth  was  without  form  and  void;  and 
darkness  was  on  the  face  of  the  deep,  and  the  Spirit  of  God 
moved  upon  the  face  of  the  waters." 

47.  God  did  not  create  the  world  in  an  instant,  although  he  might 

have  done  so.  He  created  the  world  in  a  certain  time  and  in 
a  certain  order.  First  he  made  the  material  out  of  which 
the  earth  was  to  be  formed.  This  material  at  first  was  an 
orderless  and  shapeless  mass.  How  long  this  condition  lasted 
we  are  not  told,  but  in  due  time  God  brought  order  out  of 
confusion.  In  how  many  days  did  God  make  heaven  and 
earth?     In  six  days. 

48.  So  we  read  Ex.  20,  11.     "For  in  six  days  the  Lord  made  heaven 

and  earth,  the  sea,  and  all  that  in  them  is,  and  rested  on  the 
seventh   day." 

49.  Now  turn  to  Gen.  1,  and  tell  me  from  verses  1  to  5  what  God 

made  on  the  first  day?     He  made   light  on  the  first  day. 

50.  Tell  me  from  verses  6  to  8  what  God  made  on  the  second  day. 

He  made  the  firmament  on  the  second  day. 

51.  Yes,    he   divided   the   things   above   from   the   things   below.     He 

separated  the  earth  from  the  sky.  Now  tell  me  from  verses 
9  to  1.3:  what  did  God  make  on  the  third  day?  He  separated 
the  land  from  the  water. 

52.  And  after  the  dry  land   had  appeared,  what   did   God   cause  the 

earth  to  bring  forth?  God  caused  the  earth  to  bring  forth 
grass,    herbs   and   fruit-trees. 

53.  Tell  me  from  verses  14  to  19:  what  did  God  make  on  the  fourth 

day?     He  made  the  sun,  moon,  and  stars. 

54.  Tell  me  from  verses  20  to  23:    what  did  God  make  on  the  fifth 

day?     He  made  fish  and  birds  on  the  fifth  day. 

55.  Now  tell  me  from  verses  24  to  28:   what  did  God  make  on  the 

sixth  dav?     He  made  animals  and  human  beings. 

56.  Which  was  the  last  thing  that  God  made?     The   last  thing   that 

God  made  was  man. 

57.  After  God  had  made  the  world,  how  did  he  regard  the  work  of  his 

hands?     Tell  me  from  verse  10.     "God  saw  that  it  was  good." 

58.  The  same  we  find  with  reference  to  his  other  works,  as  we  see 

from  verses  12.  18.  21.  25.  and  31.  Therefore,  what  kind  of 
a  creation  must  it  have  been  since  a  perfect  God  was  satis- 
fied with  and  found  it  good?  It  must  have  been  a  perfect 
creation. 

59.  Now    read    Gen.    2,    1.     "Thus    the    heavens    and    the    earth    were 

finished,  and  all  the  host  of  them." 

60.  What  is  here  said  of  the  heaven  and  the  earth?     It  is  said  that 

they  were  finished. 

61.  That  is,  it  was  all  done,  it  was  complete.     And  nothing  new  has 

been  made  since.  No  new  kinds  of  creatures  have  been 
created  since  this  beginning  of  things.  Neither  did  one 
kind  of  plant  or  animal  grow,  or  develop,  out  of  another. 
What  is  said  of  plants  Gen.  1,  12?  "The  earth  brought  forth 
grass,  and  herb  yielding  seed  after  his  kind,  and  the  tree 
yielding  fruit,  whose  seed  was  in  itself,  after  his  kind." 

d?-  And  what  did  God  say  of  fish  and  fowls  verse  22.  "God  blessed 
them,  saying,  be  fruitful,  and  multiply,  and  fill  the  waters 
in  the  seas,  and  let  the  fowls  multiply  in  the  earth." 


152  LESSON  46 

60.  And  what  did  God  say  of  the  beasts?  Verse  25.  "God  made  the 
beast  of  the  earth  after  his  kind,  and  cattle  after  their  kind, 
and  every  thing  that  creepeth  upon  the  earth  after  his  kind." 

64.  God   made  everything  after  its   kind,  and   these  kinds  are  fixed. 

There  may  be  an  endless  variety  of  one  kind.  So  there  may 
be  many  varieties  of  potatoes,  but  they  are  always  potatoes. 
There  may  be  many  varieties  of  cabbage,  but  it  is  all  cab- 
bage. There  may  be  many  varieties  of  dogs,  but  they  are 
all  dogs.  There  may  be  many  varieties  of  horses,  but  they 
are  all  horses.  There  is  not  a  particle  of  evidence  that  one 
kind  ever  grew  into,  or  developed,  into  an  other  kind.  And 
why  can  there  never  be  such  a  development?  Because  God 
at  creation   made  and   fixed  the  kinds. 

65.  Read   Rev.    4.    11.     "Thou    art   worthy,   O    Lord,   to    receive   glory 

and  honor  and  power,  for  thou  hast  created  all  things,  and 
for  thy  pleasure  they  are  and  were  created." 

66.  Now   let   us    see   what   object   God    had    in   making    the    world. 

Read  what  is  written  Ps.  19,  1.  "The  heavens  declare  the 
glory  of  God;   and  the  firmament  showeth  his  handiwork." 

67.  He  made  the  world  for  his  own  glory.     What  glorious  attributes 

does  the  creation  of  the  world  show  us  with  reference  to 
God?     It  shows  us  his  power  and  wisdom. 

68.  Yes,  and  it  shows  also  his  goodness.     Read  what  is  written  Ps. 

115,  16.  "The  heavens,  even  the  heavens,  are  the  Lord's: 
but  the  earth  hath  he  given  to  the  children  of  men." 

69.  To  whom  did  the  Lord  give  the  earth?     To  the  children  of  men. 

70.  So  we  read  in  the  story  of  creation,  Gen.  1,  29.     "And  God  said, 

behold  I  have  given  you  every  herb  bearing  seed,  which  is 
upon  the  face  of  all  the  earth,  and  every  tree,  in  which  is 
the  fruit  of  a  tree  yielding  seed;  to  you  it  shall  be  for  meat." 

71.  For  our  sakes  God  made  heaven  and  earth.     For  whose  use  and 

service  is  everything  in  the  world?     For  the  use  of  man. 

72.  He   prepared   the   world   as   our  dwelling-place,   and   furnished   it 

with  an  endless  variety  of  creatures  for  our  use.  Now  tell 
me  from  Luther's  explanation  of  the  first  article  what  in- 
duced God  to  do  this?  "All  this  purely  out  of  fatherly,  di- 
vine goodness  and  mercy,  without  any  merit  or  worthiness 
in  me." 

73.  And  now  tell  me  from  the  same  explanation  what  we  owe  him  for 

this  goodness.  "For  all  which  it  is  my  duty  to  thank  and 
praise,  to  serve  and  obey  him." 


LESSON  46.     GOOD  ANGELS. 

(Question  160-163.) 

1.  Who  created  heaven  and  earth?     God  created   heaven  and  earth. 

2.  What  does  it  mean  to  create  a  thing?     It  means  to  make  it  out 

of  nothing,  to  call  it  into  being. 

3.  What  part  of  speech  is  the  word  "create  "?     It  is  a  verb. 

4.  Form  a  noun  out  of  this  verb.     Creator. 

5.  Creator  is  the  one  who  creates.  But  what  is  that  which  he  creates 

called?     It  is  called  a  creature. 


LESSON   46  153 

6.  (160)  "What  do  we  accordingly  understand  by  creature?"  "Every- 

thing that  God  created,  whether  visible  or  invisible." 

7.  According  to  this,  how  many  kinds  of  things  did  God  malte?     He 

made  two  kinds  of  things,  visible  and  invisible. 

8.  This  we  see  from  Col.  1,  IG.     Repeat  the  passage.     "For  by  him 

were  all  things  created,  that  are  in  the  heaven,  and  that 
are  in  earth,  visible  and   invisible." 

9.  What  are  visible  creatures?     They  are  creatures  that  we  can  see. 
10.     Mention  some  of  these.     Hills,   rivers,   grass,  trees,  flowers,  ani- 
mals, birds,  clouds  and  stars. 

n.  But  this  is  not  all  of  God's  creation.  Besides  these  visible,  what 
other  creatures  did  he  make?  He  also  made  invisible  crea- 
tures. 

12.  What  are  invisible  creatures?     Creatures  that  we  can  not  see. 

13.  Yes,  and  these  are  just  as  real  as  the  things  we  see.     The  fact 

that  we  can  not  see  them  is  no  proof  that  they  do  not  exist. 
God's  word  plainly  says  that  he  created  not  only  the  things 
that  are  in  the  earth,  but  also  what  other  things?  The  things 
that  are   in  the  heaven. 

14.  Not   only    did    he    make    visible    things,    but   what    other    things? 

He  also  made  things  invisible. 

15.  (161)   "Which  are  the  chief  creatures?"     "Angels  and  mankind." 

16.  Which  of  these  are  visible?     Mankind. 

17.  And  which  are  invisible?     Angels. 

18.  (162)    "How    many    kinds    of    angels    are    there?"     "Two:     good 

and  bad." 

19.  (163)     "What    are    good    angels?"     "Good    angels    are    holy    and 

blessed  spirits,  who  ever  praise  God,  fulfill  his  command, 
and  protect  the  just." 

20.  Tell  me  from  this  answer:   what  kind  of  beings  are  good  angels? 

They  are  spirits. 

21.  What  does  the  Savior  say  of  a  spirit  Luke  24,  39?     "A  spirit  hath 

not  flesh  and  bones  as  ye  see  me  have." 

22.  Angels,  because  they  are  spirits,  have  not  flesh  and  bones;    that 

is,  they  have  no  bodies.  Usually  angels  are  pictured  in 
human  form  with  wings.  But  this  is  only  a  pictorial  rep- 
resentation. Sometimes  angels  have  assumed  human  form 
in  order  that  they  might  be  seen  of  men.  In  this  form  the 
angels  appeared  to  Abraham  on  the  occasion  when  God 
wanted  to  tell  him  of  the  coming  destruction  of  Sodom  and 
Gomorrah.  Gen.  18,  1-22.  Who  were  the  men  which  ap- 
peared to  Abraham  on  this  occasion?     They  were  angels. 

23.  Here    angels    assumed    human    form    for   a    short    time.     Angels, 

however,  are  not  bodily  creatures,  but  what?  Angels  are 
spirits. 

24.  In  connection  with  which  subject  have  we  already  considered  the 

word  "spirit"?  When  we  considered  the  question:  What 
is  God? 

2.5.     What  answer  can  you  give  to  this  question?     God   is  a  spirit. 

26.  Yes,  and  the  angels  are  spirits.     But  there  is  a  great  difference 

between  God  and  the  angels.  Who  made  God?  God  was 
not  made.     He   is  eternal. 

27.  Who  made  the  angels?     God  made  the  angels. 


154  LESSON   46 

28.  Then   what  difference   is   there   between  God   and  the   angels  as 

to  their  origin?  God  is  an  uncreated  spirit,  while  the  angels 
are  created  spirits. 

29.  Now  what  l-cind  of  spirits  does  our  answer  say  the  good  angles 

are?     They  are  holy  and  blessed  spirits. 

.30.     What  do  we  mean   by  saying  the  good   angels   are  holy?     They 
are   pure,,  perfect,   without  sin. 

31.  Repeat  what  the  Savior  says  of  good  angels  Matth.  18,  10. 

"Their  angels  do  always  behold  the  face  of  my  Father  which 
is  in  heaven." 

32.  They  stand  before  God,  beholding  his  face.     But  only  what  kind 

of  beings  can  stand  before  the  holy  God  and  behold  his 
face?     Only  holy  beings. 

33.  So   the   good   angels  were   created,   and   so   they   have   remained. 

But  our  answer  not  only  says  they  are  holy,  but  what  else 
is  said  of  good  angels?     They  are   blessed. 

34.  That   means    they   are    happy.     Now    let   us    see   what    their   em- 

ployment is.  According  to  our  answer  163,  what  is  the  first 
thing  they  do?     They  ever  praise  God. 

35.  Repeat  Ps.  103,  20.     "Bless  the  Lord  ye  his  angels,  that  excel   in 

strength,  that  do  his  commandments,  hearkening  unto  the 
voice  of  his  word." 

36.  "Bless  the  Lord,"  here  means:    praise  the  Lord.    Can  you  think  of 

a  case  in  which  the  multitude  of  the  heavenly  host,  that  is, 
the  angels,  praised  God  here  on  earth?  At  the  birth  of  the 
Savior. 

37.  What  did   they  say  or  sing  to  the   praise  of  God?     Luke  2,   13. 

"Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  and  on  earth  peace,  good  will 
toward   men." 

38.  This  is  one  of  the  finest  hymns  of  praise  that  was  ever  uttered. 

And  by  whom  was  it  spoken  or  sung?     By  the  angels. 

39.  But  the  Old  Testament  also  tells  us  about  the  angels  praising 

God.  Read  Isa.  6,  1-3,  and  tell  me  what  hymn  did  the 
Seraphim, ~  that  is,  a  high  order  of  angels,  sing?  "Holy, 
Holy,  Holy  is  the  Lord  of  Hosts:  the  whole  earth  Is  full  of 
his  glory." 

40.  So    we   should    learn   from    the    angels   to    sing   and    praise    God, 

and  when  we  once  get  to  heaven  we  will  join  in  their  songs 
of  praise.  Now  let  us  see  what  else  do  good  angels  do . 
They  fulfill  God's  command. 

41.  The  word   "angel"  means  a  messenger.     For  this  reason  angels 

are  pictured  with  wings,  to  indicate  that  they  are  quick  to 
do  God's  bidding;  they  fiy,  as  it  were,  on  his  errands.  What 
is  said  of  the  employment  of  good  angels  in  Ps.  103,  20? 
"They  do  his  commandments,  hearkening  unto  the  voice  of 
his  word." 

42.  Let   us   now   see   some   instances   in   which   the   angels   acted  as 

God's  messengers.  Who  was  it  that  acted  as  God's  mes- 
senger when  He  wanted  to  tell  Zacharias  that  his  wife 
Elizabeth  should  bear  him  a  son?  Luke  1,  11-19.  The 
angel   Gabriel. 

43.  And  to  whom  was  this  same  angel  sent  six  months  later,  to  tell 

her  that  she  was  to  be  the  mother  of  the  Savior?  Luke  1, 
26-33.     To  the  virgin  Mary. 


LESSON   46  155 

44.  So  God  uses  the  angels  as  his  messengers.     But  our  answer  163 

also  tells  us  that  they  have  something  special  to  do  with 
reference  to  the  just.     What  is   it?     They   protect  the  just. 

45.  So  we  read  Heb.   1,   14.     "Are  they  not  ministering"  spirits,  sent 

forth  to  minister  for  them  who  shall  be  heirs  of  salvation?" 

46.  What  are  the  good  angels  here  called?     They  are  called   minis- 

tering  spirits. 

47.  That  means  spirits  who  serve.     And  whom  do  they  serve?     They 

serve  those  who  shall  be  heirs  of  salvation. 

48.  And  who  shall  be  heirs  of  salvation?     The  just,  those  who  truly 

believe  in  the  Savior. 

49.  Now  read   Ps.  91,  11.   12.     "For   he   shall    give   his  angels   charge 

over  thee,  to  keep  thee  in  all  thy  ways.  They  shall  bear 
thee  up  in  their  hands,  lest  thou  dash  thy  foot  against  a 
stone." 

50.  Read  also   Ps.   34,   7.     "The   angel    of  the    Lord   encampeth   about 

them  that  fear  him,  and  delivereth  them." 

51.  Now  let  us  also  see  some  examples  of  how  the  angels  protect  the 

just.  Read  what  Daniel  says  Dan.  6,  22.  "My  God  hath 
sent  his  angel,  and  hath  shut  the  lions'  mouths,  that  they 
have   not  hurt  me." 

52.  What  was  done  with  Daniel  because  he  would  not  cease  praying 

to  God?     He  was  thrown  into  the  lions'  den. 

53.  And   how   did   God   protect   him   in   this   great   danger?     He   sent 

his  angel  to  shut  the  lions'  mouths. 

54.  When   wicked   king   Herod    undertook    to   kill   the   infant    Savior, 

how  did  the  Lord  warn  Jeseph  of  the  danger?  Matth.  2,  13. 
He  sent  his  angel,  and  told  him  to  flee  into  Egypt  with  the 
child. 

55.  When  Peter  was  in  prison  and  in  danger  of  losing  his  life,  how 

was  he  delivered?  Acts  12,  5-11.  God  sent  an  angel  to 
lead    him   out. 

56.  In  the  life  of  the  Savior  the  angels  very  frequently  acted  as  his 

servants.  What  is  said  of  the  angels  in  reference  to  Christ 
immediateely  after  his  temptation  in  the  wilderness?  Matth. 
4,  11.     The  angels  came  and  ministered  unto  him. 

57.  How  was  he  served  by  an  angel  during  his  great  agony  in  the 

garden  of  Gethsemane?  Luke  22,  43.  "There  appeared  an 
angel  unto  him  from  heaven  and  strengthened  him." 

58.  So   the   angels   are   sent  by  God   to   protect   his   children.     They 

are  our  unseen  guardians.  Even  in  death  they  are  near  us 
and  ready  to  bear  our  souls  to  heaven,  as  we  learn  from  the 
story  of  poor  Lazarus.  What  is  said  of  him  Luke  16,  22? 
"It  came  to  pass  that  the  beggar  died,  and  was  carried  by 
the  angels  into  Abraham's  bosom." 

59.  And  when  the  Savior  comes  again  at  the  end  of  days  to  judge 

the  world,  who  will  be  with  him?  Matth.  25,  31.  All  the 
holy  angels. 

GO.  Children,  let  us  thank  God  that  he  made  the  angels  to  be  our 
unseen  servants.  Let  us  endeavor  to  be  pure  and  holy  as 
they  are.     I.,et  us  cheerfully  do  the  will  of  God  as  they  d". 


156  LESSON   47. 


LESSON   47.      BAD  ANGELS. 

(Question   164.) 

1.  How  many  kinds  of  creatures  did  God  malve  according  to  ques- 
tion 160?  He  made  two  kinds  of  creatures,  visible  and  in- 
visible, 

2.  Who  are  the  invisible  creatures?  The  invisible  creatures  are 
the  angeTs. 

3.  How  many  Idnds  of  angels  are  there?     Question  162.     There  are 

two  kinds  of  angels,  good  and  bad. 

4.  In    our    last    lesson    we    considered    what    the    Bible    says    about 

good  angels..  What  is  the  subject  of  today's  lesson?  The 
subject  of  today's   lesson   is   bad  angels. 

5.  (164)  "What  are  bad  angels?"     "Bad  angels  are  spirits  who  have 

fallen  from  God,  and,  as  His  sworn  enemies,  strive  to  offend 
Him   and    deceive   man." 

6.  What  kind  of  beings  are  bad  angels?     Bad  angels  are  spirits. 

7.  Like  good  angels,  they  have  no  material  bodies.     They  are  some- 

times represented  in  human  form,  having  the  wings  of  a  bat, 
with  a  tail  and  horns.  All  this  is  simply  to  represent  the 
hatefulness  and  wickedness  of  bad  angels.  According  to 
our  answer,  what  great  change  did  the  bad  angels  undergo? 
They  fell   from   God. 

8.  Then   where  must  they  originally  have  been?     They   must  have 

been   with   God. 

9.  And  as  only  that  which  is  pure  and  holy  and  good  can  be  with 

God,  what  must  the  bad  angels  have  been  before  they  fell 
from  God?     They  must  have  been  good  and   holy. 

10.  Who   made   all   things   in   heaven   and   on   earth?     God    made   all 

things. 

11.  And  what  are  we  told  in  Gen.  1,  31.  concerning  everything  that 

God  had  made?  "God  saw  everything  that  he  had  made, 
and   behold.,  it  was  very  good." 

12.  How,  in  consequence,  must  the  bad  angels  have  been  when  they 

were  creaj:ed?     They  must   have   been   very  good. 

13.  Yes,    they   were    very   good.     God    made   only   good    angels.     But 

not  all  angels  remained  as  God  had  made  them.  What  is 
said  in  our  question  164  of  bad  angels?     They  fell  from  God. 

14.  So  we  read  in  the  Epistle  of  Jude,  verse  6.     "The  angels  which 

kept  not  their  first  estate,  but  left  their  habitation,  he  hath 
reserved  in  everlasting  chains  under  darkness  unto  the  judg- 
ment of  the  great  day." 

15.  What  are   we  here  told  that  some   angels   did  not  keep?     They 

kept  not  their  first  estate. 

16.  That  is,  they  did  not   remain  as  God  made  them.     And  what  is 

said  of  their  habitation?     They   left  their  habitation. 

17.  Their    habitation,    or    home,    was    heaven.     This    they    left.     For 

after  they  became  bad,  they  could  not  remain  in  the  pres- 
ence of  God.  What  does  the  Savior  say  of  the  Devil,  John 
8,  44?  "Ye  are  of  your  father  the  Devil,  and  the  lusts  of 
your  fsther  ye  will  do:  he  was  a  murderer  from  the  begin- 
ning, and  abode  not  in  the  truth,  because  there  is  no  truth 
in  him.  When  he  speaketh  a  lie,  he  speaketh  of  his  own: 
for  he   is  a   liar,  and  the  father  of  it," 


LESSON   47.  157 


18.  He    was   in   the   truth,   that   is,   truthful   at   first,   but   he   did    not 

remain  as  he  was.  When  the  devil  I'ell  from  God,  who  is 
pure  and  holy,  what  did  he  become?     He  became  wicked. 

19.  Now  read  1  John  3,  8.     "He  that  committeth  sin   is  of  the  devil; 

for  the  devil  sinneth  from   the   beginning." 

20.  In  these  passages  we  are  told  that  the  devil  sinned  from  the  be- 

ginning, that  he  was  the  first  one  to  sin.  Sin  had  its  begin- 
ning in  him.  And  now,  whom  do  all  follow  who  sin?  They 
follow  the  devil. 

21.  We  are  not  told   what  special  sin   the  devil  committed,  but  this 

we  know  that  the  bad  angels  did  not  fall  into  sin  because 
they  could  not  help  it.  Hov/.  then,  came  they  to  sin?  They 
sinned  and  fell  from  God  of  their  own  free  will. 

22.  Tell  me  from  our  question  164:    in  what  relation  do  the  bad  an- 

gels now  stand  to  God?     They  are  his  sworn  enemies. 

23.  What  were  they  before  they  had  sinned?     They  were  his  friends. 

24.  But  now  they  are  what?     They  are  his  enemies. 

25.  They  no  longer  love  God  as  they  did  at  first,  but  what  do  they 

do?     They  hate  God. 

26.  Our  answer  says  they  are  what  kind  of  enemies  of  God?     They 

are  sworn  enemies. 

27.  That  is,   they   never   can  or   will   be   anything   else   but   enemies. 

All  men  are  by  nature  sinners  and,  insofar,  God's  enemies. 
But  man  can  be  changed  from  an  enemy  into  a  friend  and 
child  of  God.  This  is  done  by  faith  in  .Jesus  Christ  our  Savior. 
But  no  such  change  can  ever  take  place  with  the  devil  and 
his  angels.  What  will  they  always  remain?  They  will  al- 
ways remain  enemies  of  God. 

.28.  Yes,  this  we  must  conclude  from  the  second  half  of  the  passage 
just  read,  .Jude,  verse  6.  "He  hath  reserved  in  everlasting 
chains  under  darkness  unto  the  judgment  of  the  great  day." 

29.  There  is  no  hope  for  the  devil,  but  only  a  fearful  waiting  unto 

judgment.  Now  tell  me  from  our  question  164:  what  is 
the  employment  of  the  bad  angels.  They  strive  to  offend 
God  and  deceive   man. 

30.  What  is  the  first  thing  they  do?     They  strive  to  offend   God. 

31.  And  why  do  they  strive  to  offend  God?     Because  they  hate  him. 

32.  How  is  God  offended?     God  is  offended  by  sin. 

33.  Yes,  as  we  have  already  learned,  God  is  most  deeply  offended  by 

sin,  and  what  is  satan's  greatest  pleasure?  Satan's  greatest 
pleasure   is  sin. 

34.  Now   tell   me  further  from   our  question:    what   else   do   the   bad 

angels  strive  to  do?     They  strive  to  deceive  man. 

35.  What  was   the   last  and   most  perfect   work  of  God,   his   master- 

piece, so  to  speak?  Man  was  the  last  and  most  perfect  work 
of  God. 

36.  Yes,    and    man    was    God's    chief    delight.     He    enjoyed    this    his 

most  ijerfect  work  above  all  else  that  he  had  made.  So 
when  Satan  set  about  to  offend  God,  he  tried  to  destroy  his 
noblest  work.  How  was  man  created?  Man  was  created  in 
the  image  of  God. 

37.  Did   he   remain   in   tliis   coiidilion?     He   did   not. 

38.  What   horrible   change  took  place   in   man?     He  fell    into   sin, 


158  LESSON  47. 

39.  Now  let  US  see  how  this  was  brought  about.     Turn  to  the  third 

chapter  of  Genesis,  and  tell  me  from  the  first  verse  who  came 
to  the  woman  and  tempted  her  to  sin?     The  serpent. 

40.  In  Rev.  12,  9.  we  are  told  who  this  serpent  is.     Read  the  passage. 

"The  great  dragon  was  cast  out,  that  old  serpent,  called  the 
Devil,  and  Satan,  which  deceiveth  the  whole  world." 

41.  Satan  came  to  Adam  and  Eve  in  the  form  of  a  serpent,  and  for 

what  purpose?     To  tempt  them,  to  deceive  them, 

42.  Did  he  succed  in  his  evil  purpose?     Yes,  he  did. 

43.  He  succeeded  only  too  well,  and  he  has  been  at  it  ever  since. 

He  still  tries  to  deceive  men.  This  we  see  from  the  life 
of  the  Savior.  Satan  tried  to  deceive  even  him  and  to  lead 
him  into  sin.  Read  Matth.  4,  1.  "Then  was  Jesus  led  up  of 
the  Spirit  into  the  wilderness  to  be  tempted   of  the   Devil." 

44.  By  whom  was  the  Savior  tempted?    He  was  tempted  by  the  devil. 

45.  The  devil  tried  to  get  the  Savior  to  doubt  God's  word,  yet,  to  fall 

from  God  and  to  fall  down  and  worship  him  Instead  of  God. 
Now  let  us  see  what  success  satan  had  in  tempting  .lesus. 
Read  what  is  written  in  the  10th  and  11th  verses  of  this 
chapter.  "Then  saith  Jesus  unto  him,  get  thee  hence  Satan: 
for  it  is  written.  Thou  shalt  worship  the  Lord  thy  God,  and 
him  only  shalt  thou  serve.  Then  the  devil  leaveth  him,  and 
behold,  angels  came  and    ministered   unto   him." 

46.  How  did  Jesus   meet   every   temptation  of  the   devil?  He   met   it 

with  scripture.  He  always  said:  It  is  written,  and  quoted 
a  passage  of  scripture. 

47.  Let  us  learn  from  this  that  the  written  word  of  God  is  the  great 

weapon  with  which  we,  too,  are  to  oppose  the  temptations 
of  the  devil. 

48.  Now  read  1  Peter  5,  8.     "Be  sober,  be  vigilant;    because  your  ad- 

versary the  devil,  as  a  roaring  lion  walketh  about,  seeking 
whom   he   may   devour." 

49.  What  is  the  devil  here  called?     He  is  called  our  adversary. 

50.  Yes,  he  is  against  us.     He  is  our  chief  enemy.     And   what  does 

the  apostle  compare  him  to?     He  compares  him  to  a  roaring 
.  lion. 

51.  Were  you   ever  at  the  zoological   gardens   just   before   the  lions 

were  fed?  Why  do  they  roar  so  terribly?  Because  they  are 
hungry. 

52.  Just  as  a  roaring  lion  looks  for  food  to  devour,  so  satan  seeks 

to  devour  men,  that  is,  to  destroy  them  through  sin.  Which 
admonition,  therefore,  does  the  apostle  address  to  us?  He  ad- 
monishes us  to  be  sober,  to  be  vigilant,  and  to  resist  him 
steadfast  in  the  faith. 

53.  Yes,   just   as   the    Savior   resisted    him.     How    did    he    resist   the 

devil?     He  resisted  him  with  the  Word  of  God. 

54.  Children,  you  will  all  be  tempted  to  sin.     And  when  such  temp- 

tations come,  remember  from  whom  tliey  come.  Who  is  it 
that  tempts  to  sin?     It  is  the  devil. 

Then  also  remember  the  real  weapon  of  defense  in  such  times  of 
temptation.  Which  is  the  only  relial^le  weapon  of  defense  in 
temptation?     The   Word   of  God, 


.  ► .  1 . 


LESSON   48.  159 

56.  Let  us  hold  fast  to  God's  word,  and  we  can  successfully  i-esist  all 

temptations  to  sin.  Let  us  ask  God  to  give  us  strength  to 
resist  satan  when  he  tempts  us  to  sin  and  offend  God. 
When  Potiphar's  wicked  wife  tempted  Joseph  to  sin,  whose 
instrument  was  she  in  this  temptation?  She  was  the  devil's 
instrument. 

57.  What    did   .leseph    answer   when   he   was   tempted?     Gen.    39,    9. 

"How  can  I   do  this  great  wickedness  and  sin  against  God?" 

58.  The  fear  of  God  was  in  Jeseph's  heart.     The  word  of  God  was 

before  his  eyes,  and  what  did  this  enable  him  to  do?  It 
enabled   him  to  resist  the  temptation. 


LESSON  48.     THE  CREATION  OF  MAN  AND  THE   IMAGE  OF  GOD. 

(Questions  165-166.) 

1.  Who  created  all  things?     God  created  all  things. 

2.  How   many   kinds   of   things    did   God   create?     God    created   two 

kinds  of  things,  visible  and  invisible. 

3.  Which    are    the    invisible    creatures?      The    angels    are    invisible 

creatures. 

4.  Which   of   the   visible    creatures    did   God    create   last?      Human 

beings. 

5.  And  this  was  the  crowning  work  of  God's  visible  creation.    Which 

is  chief  among  visible  creatures?  Man  is  chief  among  the 
visible  creatures. 

6.  (165)     "Why  is  man  chief  among  visible  creatures?"     "Because 

God  created  him   in  his  own   image." 

7.  Let  us   read   the   story  of  man's   creation,  as   it  is  written   Gen. 

1,  26-27.  God  said:  "Let  us  make  man  in  our  image,  after 
our  likeness:  and  let  them  have  dominion  over  the  fish  of 
the  sea,  and  over  the  fowl  of  the  air,  and  over  the  cattle, 
and  over  all  the  earth,  and  over  every  creeping  thing  that 
creepeth  upon  the  earth.  So  God  created  man  in  his  own 
image,  in  the  image  of  God  created  he  him;  male  and  female 
created  he  them." 

8.  How  did  God  create  light?     Gen.  1,  3.     He  said:     "Let  there   be 

light,  and  there  was  light." 

9.  When  he  wanted  to  create  plants,  how  did  he  go  about  it?     Gen. 

1,  11.  God  said:  "Let  the  earth  bring  forth  grass,  the  herb 
yielding  seed,  and  the  fruit  tree  yielding  fruit  after  his  kind." 

10.  When  he  wanted  to  make  animals,  what  did  he  do?     Gen.  1,  24. 

God  said:  "Let  the  earth  bring  forth  the  living  creatures 
after  his  kind,  cattle  and  creeping  thing,  and  beast  of  the 
earth  after  his  kind:   and  it  was  so." 

11.  But  when  he  wanted   to  create  man  he  did  not  simply  say:    let 

there  be,  but  he  said:  let  us  make  man.  He  held  a  council, 
as  it  were,  with  himself.  He  had  an  image,  a  model  for 
the  creation  of  man.  How  did  he  make  man?  He  made 
man  in  his  own  image,  after  his  own  likeness. 

12.  What  is  the  image  of  a  person?     It  is  a  picture  of  the  person. 

13.  Whom  does  the  image,  or  picture,  of  a  person  resemble?     It  re- 

sembles the  person. 


160  LESSON    48. 

14.  For  this  reason  who  was  man  Uke  when  he  was  created?     He 

was  like  God. 

15.  The  image  of  a  person  is  not  like  the  person  in  every  respect. 

Therefore  man  was  not  like  God  in  all  things.  But  he  did 
resemble  his  Maker  in  some  things. 

16.  (166)     "Wherein  did  the  image  of  God  consist?"     "In  the  perfec- 

tion of  the  whole  man,  chiefly  in  righteousness  and  true 
holiness." 

17.  What  is  the  first  thing  here  stated  in  which  man  was  like  God? 

In  the  perfection  of  the  whole  man. 

18.  God  is  what  kind  of  being?     God  is  a  perfect  being. 

19.  There  is  nothing  wrong  with  him.     He  is  just  as  he  should  be. 

He  could  not  be  better  than  he  is.  And  if  man  was  created 
in  the  likeness  of  God,  what  kind  of  being  must  he  have 
been?     He  must  have  been  a  perfect  being. 

20.  Can  you  tell  me   what  this  means?     He  was  just  as   he  should 

be.  There  was  nothing  wrong  with  him.  He  could  not 
have  been   better  than  he  was. 

21.  Repeat  the  explanation  of  the  first  article  of  the  creed.    (Question 

152).     "I  believe  that  God  has  made  me  and  all  creatures." 

22.  That  will  do  for  the   present.     Here   you  confess   that   God   not 

only  made  all  creatures,  but  what  do  you  confess  par- 
ticularly?    I  confess  that  he  made  me. 

23.  Now  go  further  in  this  explanation  and  tell  me:    what  did  God 

give  you?    "He  has  given  me  my  body  and  soul." 

24.  Stop  a  moment.    What  are  the  two  parts  of  man?     Body  and  soul. 

25.  Let  us  now  hear  what  the   Scriptures  say  concerning  the  crea- 

tion of  man's  body  and  soul.  Read  Gen.  2,  7.  "And  the 
Lord  God  formed  man  of  the  dust  of  the  ground,  and 
breathed  into  his  nostrils  the  breath  of  life,  and  man  became 
a  living  soul." 

26.  How  did  God  form  the  body  of  man?     He  formed    it  out  of  the 

dust  of  the  ground. 

27.  There  is  nothing  more  beautiful  than  the  human  body.     And  yet, 

our  bodies  are  no  longer  what  the  human  body  was  at 
creation...  We  are  troubled  with  all  kinds  of  aches  and  pains, 
with  imperfections  and  diseases.  But  how  was  man's  l)ody 
at  creation?     It  was  perfect. 

28.  There  was  perfect  harmony  in  every  part,  and  every  member  of 

the  body  fulfilled  perfectly  the  work  for  which  it  was  made. 

29.  There   are   several    members    of  the   body   mentioned    in    the   ex- 

planation of  the  first  article.  What  are  they?  What  did 
God  give  you?  He  gave  me  my  eyes,  ears  and  all  my 
members. 

30.  W^hat  did  God  give  you  eyes  for?     He  gave  me  eyes  to  see. 

31.  And  what  a  wonderful  thing  the  eye  is!     We  look  at  the  green 

fields  and  the  blue  sky,  and  the  im^ge  of  what  we  see  is 
reflected  upon  our  minds. 

32.  What  did  God  give  you  ears  for?     He  gave  me  ears  to  hear. 

:!3.  What  a  wonderful  thing  the  ear  is!  It  catches  sound,  and  this 
so^ind  makes  an  impression  on  the  mind.  We  hear  ^  man 
making  sounds  with  his  voice,  and  through  these  sounds  the 
thoughts  of  his  soul  are  carried  into  our  own  souls,  so  that 
we  understand  what  he  says.  Can  you  mention  any  other 
members  of  the  body  that  God  gave  you?  He  also  gave 
me  hands  and  feet. 


LESSON    48.  161 

■34.     What  did  he  give  you  hands  for?     He  gave  me  hands  to  work. 

35.  What  a  wonderful  thing  the  human  hand  is!     There  is  no  instru- 

ment like  it  in  all  the  wide  world.  Thinly  of  what  a  man 
can  do  with  his  hands.  He  can  till  the  ground,  build  houses, 
write,  do  needlework,  paint,  play  musical  instruments,  and 
do  an  endless  variety  of  other  things.  What  did  God  give 
you  feet  for?     He  gave  me  feet  to  stand  and  walk. 

36.  All  other  creatures  creep,  or  walk  on  all  fours.     But  how   does 

man  walk?     He  walks  upright. 

37.  Yes,  in  his  walk  as  well  as  his  work  man  is  far  above  any  other 

creature.  But  what  else  did  God  give  you  besides  your 
body?     He  also  gave  me  my  soul. 

38.  And    in   the    soul   he   gave   you    most   wonderful   gifts.      Some   of 

them  are  mentioned  in  the  explanation  of  the  first  article. 
What  gifts,  or  powers,  of  soul  did  God  give  you?  He  gave 
me  my  reason  and  all  my  senses. 

39.  How  many  senses  have  you?     I  have  five  senses. 

40.  What  are  the  five  senses?     Sight,  hearing,  taste,  touch  and  smell. 

41.  These    senses    are    the    windows    of    the    soul,    through   which    it 

looks  out  upon  the  world.  They  are  the  hands  through 
which  it  lays  hold  of  the  outward  world.  When  we  see, 
hear,  touch,  taste  or  smell  things  we  begin  to  think  about 
them.  This  power  we  call  reason.  What  you  see  or  hear 
today  you  know  tomorrow.  What  do  you  call  that  power 
by  which  you  keep  things  which  you  see  or  hear?  We  call 
it  memory. 

42.  We  are  able  to  feel  pleasure  and  pain,  we  are  able  to  form  con- 

clusions and  to  decide  on  a  course  of  action.  Who  gave  us 
all  these  powers  of  the  soul?     God  gave  them, 

43.  In  view  of  all  this,  what  does  the  psalmist  say  Ps.  139,  14?     "I 

will  praise  thee;  for  i  am  fearfully  and  wonderfully  made; 
marvelous  are  thy  works,  and  that  my  soul  knoweth  right 
well." 

44.  But,  according   to   question   166,   wherein   did   the   image   of   God 

chiefly  consist?  It  consisted  chiefly  in  righteousness  and 
true  holiness. 

45.  In  Eph.  4,  24  we  are  told  how  man  was  created  and  in  what  re- 

spect he  resembled  God.  Read  the  passage.  "Put  on  the 
new  man,  which  after  God  is  created  in  righteousness  and 
true  holiness." 

46.  The  new  man  is  created  after  the  image  of  God  and  wherein  does 

this  image  consist?  It  consists  in  righteousness  and  true 
holiness. 

47.  God    is    righteous.     There    is   no  sin    in   him.     He    is   truly    holy, 

without  fault  or  blemish.  And  so  man  was  at  creation.  He 
was  morally  a  perfect  being.  So  we  read  Eccles.  7,  29:  "Lo 
this  only  have  I  found,  that  God  hath  made  man  upright; 
but  they  have  sought  many  inventions." 

48.  Read  Gen.  2,  25.     "And  they  were  both  naked,  the  man  and   his 

wife,  and  were  not  ashamed." 

49.  Usually,  how  do  men  feel  about  being  naked?     They  are  ashamed 

to  be  naked. 

50.  But  how  do  little  children  feel  about  being  naked?     They  are  not 

ashamed. 

51.  That  is  because   they  are.   in   a    way,   innocent.     When   have  we 

reason  to  be  ashamed?     When  we  do  wronq. 
11  ^ 


162  LESSON    49. 

52.  Yes,  shame  is  the  result  of  sin.     Now,  why  were  Adam  and  Eve 

not  ashamed  of  being  naked?     Because  they  were   innocent. 

53.  Repeat  Col.   3,   10.     "Put  on   the   new  man,  which   is   renewed   in 

knowledge,  after  the  image  of  him  that  created  him." 

54.  Here,  again,  we  are  told  that  man  was  created- after  whose  image? 

Man  was  created  after  the  image  of  God. 

55.  Read  what  is  written  Gen.  2,  10-23,  and  tell  me  what  did  Adam 

do  with  the  creatures  which  God  brought  before  him?  He 
named  them. 

56.  This  required  a  knowledge  of  how  they  were  made  and  how  they 

lived.  Therefore,  being  able  to  name  these  creatures,  what 
kind  of  being  must  he  have  been?  He  must  have  been  an 
intelligent  being. 

57.  Yes,  he  must  have  had  a  knowledge,  something  like  the  knowl- 

edge w^hich  the  Creator  had.  Now  read  Gen.  1,  26.  "God 
said,  let  us  make  man  in  our  image,  after  our  likeness:  and 
let  them  have  dominion  over  the  fish  of  the  sea,  and  over 
the  fowl  of  the  air,  and  over  the  cattle,  and  over  all  the 
earth,  and  over  every  creeping  thing  that  creepeth  upon  the 
earth." 

58.  Man  was  to  have  dominion  over  all  the  earth.     He  was  to  rule 

over  everything.  And  whom  did  he  resemble  and  represent 
in  this  ruling?     He  resembled  and  represented  God. 

59.  Now  read  Gen.  2,  8.     "And  the  Lord  God  planted  a  garden  east- 

ward in  Eden;  and  there  he  put  the  man  whom  he  had 
formed." 

60.  Where  did  man  live?     He  lived  in  Eden  or  Paradise. 

61.  What  kind  of  place  was  paradise?     Paradise  was  a  beautiful  place. 

62.  Yes,  a  place  of  perfect  happiness.     In  what  condition,  therefore, 

must  Adam  and  Eve  have  lived  in  this  place?  They  must 
have   lived   in  perfect  happiness. 

63.  And  in  this  respect  they  were  like  God  who  is  perfectly  happy. 

Now  read  Gen.  2,  17.  "But  of  the  tree  of  the  knowledge  of 
good  and  evil,  thou  shalt  not  eat  of  it:  for  in  the  day  that 
thou  eatest  thereof  thou  shalt  surely  die." 

64.  What   should   follow   if   they   ate  of  the   forbidden    fruit?     They 

should  die. 

65.  So  it  is  evident  that  up  to  that  time  they  were  not  subject  to 

death,  and  had  they  not  sinned,  they  never  would  have  died. 
What  word  expresses  this  condition?     The  word  immortal. 

66.  Yes,  they  were  immortal,  and  in  this  respect  were  like  God.     God 

can  not  die.  In  what  respect,  then,  were  they  like  God? 
They  were  immortal,  they  need  not  die. 


LESSON   49.     PROVIDENCE. 

(Questions  167-172.) 

Repeat  the  explanation  of  the  first  article  of  the  Creed.  (Ques- 
tion 152).  "I  believe  that  God  has  made  me  and  all  crea- 
tures;  etc. 

Here  you  confess  that  God  has  made  you  and  all  creatures.  That 
he  has  given  you  body  and  soul,  eyes,  ears  and  all  your 
members,  your  reason  and  all  your  senses.  But  what  more 
do  you  confess?  I  also  confess  that  he  preserves  me  and  all 
creatures. 


LESSON    49.  163 

3.  This   preservation   of  all   things   we  call   providence.      The   word 

"providence"  is  what  part  of  speech?  The  word  "provi- 
dence" is  a  noun. 

4.  Can  you  give  me  a  verb  similar  to  this  noun?    The  verb  "provide." 

5.  When   we  say  that  a   father  provides  for  his   children   what  do 

we  mean?  We  mean  that  he  cares  for  them,  he  gives  them 
what  they  need. 

6.  (167)     "With   what   words   in   the   explanation   are   the   blessings 

of  God's  providence  further  described?"  "I  believe  that 
God  still  preserves  me  and  all  creatures;  and  gives  me 
clothing  and  shoes,  meat  and  drink,  house  and  home,  wife 
and  children,  fields,  cattle,  and  all  my  goods;  that  he  daily 
provides  me  with  all  that  I  need  to  support  this  body  and 
life,  that  he  defends  me  against  ail  danger,  and  guards  and 
protects   me   from   all    evil." 

7.  God  preserves  you,  and  what  does  he  give  you  for  your  preserva- 

tion? He  gives  me  all  that  I  need  to  support  this  body 
and  life. 

8.  Mention  some  things  which  we  need  for  our  support  in  this  life? 

We  need  clothing,  shoes,  meat,  drink,  house,  home,  wife, 
children,  fields,  cattle  and  the  like. 

9.  From  whom  do  we  get  these  things?     God   gives  them  to  us. 

10.  Yes,  for  food  we  need  grain,  fruit,  vegetables  and  meat.     Who 

causes  these  things  to  grow?     God  makes  these  things  grow. 

11.  The  explanation  also  tells  us  how  God   provides  us  with  these 

things.  What  does  it  say?  God  provides  us  with  these 
things   richly  and   daily. 

12.  In    this    world    we    are    surrounded    with    all    manner    of    danger. 

What  does  the  explanation  say  about  these  dangers?  God 
defends  me  from  all   danger. 

13.  And  what  does  it  say  with  reference  to  evil?     God   guards  and 

protects  me  from  all  evil. 

14.  (168)     "Why    is    this    added    to    the    article    of   creation?"      "Be- 

cause God  has  not  forsaken  his  work  as  an  architect  leaves 
the  house  that  he  has  built,  but  he  preserves  the  things  He 
created,  and  governs  them  according  to  his  fatherly  wisdom." 

15.  When  a  house  is  built,  what  would  become  of  it  if  left  entirely 

to  itself?     It  would  in  time  fall  to  pieces. 

16.  Yes,    it    would    go    to    ruin.      It    would    soon    be    no   more.      And 

what  would  become  of  the  world  if  God  left  it  to  it~elf? 
It  would  pass  away. 

17.  Yes,  it  would   return   to  nothing,  whence  God  had    called    it    at 

creation.  This  is  true  not  only  of  the  whole  world  but  of 
us  human  beings  also.  What  do  we  read  Acts  17.  27.  28? 
"He  is  not  far  from  every  one  of  us:  for  in  him  we  live,  and 
move  and  have  our  being." 

18.  God    did   not   cease   to   exercise   his    divine    i:ower   when  he   had 

finished  the  work  of  creation,  but  continues  to  exercise  it. 
as  we  learn  from  John  .5,  17,  "My  Father  worketh  hitherto, 
and   I  work." 

1.1.  (Kilt)  "What  do  you  accordingly  understand  Ijy  the  providence 
of  God?"  "This,  that  God  preserves  and  governs  all  creatures 
to   his  glory  and   to   the  salvation   of  the   saints." 

2('  Heaven  and  earth  do  not  i)reservo  tluMiiselvcs.  Bui  wlio  lu'c- 
"^erves  them?     God  preserves  them. 


164  LESSON    49. 

21.  Can  you  give  me  a  Scriptiu'e  passage  for  this?     Heb.  1,  3.     "He 

upholds  all  things  by  the  word  of  his  power." 

22.  Read   also   Rom.   11,   36.     "For  of   him,   and   through    him,   and   to 

him  are  all  things." 

23.  Repeat  also   in   this  connection   Col.    1,   17.  ,  "By   him   all   things 

consist." 

24.  God  preserves  the  whole  order  of  nature,  day  and  night,  summer 

and  winter,  seed  time  and  harvest.  What  did  God  say  to 
Noah  Gen.  8,  22?  "While  the  earth  remaineth,  seedtime  and 
harvest,  and  cold  and  heat,  and  summer  and  winter,  and 
day  and  night  shall  not  cease." 

25.  Just  imagine  what  would  follow  if  this  order  of  nature  were  done 

away  with.  Suppose  that  for  a  whole  year  the  sun  would 
not  shine.  What  would  follow  with  all  vegetable  life?  All 
plants  and  trees  would  die. 

26.  And  if  all  plants  and   trees  would  die,  if  there  were  no  grass, 

vegetables,  or  fruit,  what  would  become  of  all  animals  and 
of  man?     They  would   die. 

27.  So  it  is  to  God  that  we  owe  the  preservation  of  our  lives.     All 

living  creatures  look  to  liim  for  food.  Repeat  Ps.  145,  15.  16. 
"The  eyes  of  all  wait  upon  thee;  and  thou  givest  them  their 
meat  in  due  season.  Thou  openest  thine  hand,  and  satis- 
fiest  the  desire  of  every  living  thing." 

28.  Read  also  Ps.  104,  27-32.     What  do  we  leara  from  this  passage? 

We  learn  that  God   provides  for  all  his  creatures. 

29.  Now  if  we  know   that  God  provides  for  us  how  should  we  feel 

about  it?     We  should  trust  in  him  and  not  worry. 

30.  What  does  the  apostle  say  1  Peter  5,  7?     "Casting  all  your  cares 

upon  him,  for  he  careth  for  you." 

31.  Read   Matt.  6,  25-32  and  tell  me  a.gainst  what  the  Savior  warns 

us  here?     Against  anxious  cares,  against  worrying. 

32.  Upon  whom   should   we  cast  all  our  cares?     We  should   cast  all 

our  cares  upon   God. 

33.  What  does   the  apostle  say  Acts   14,   17?     "Nevertheless   he   left 

not  himself  without  witness,  in  that  he  did  good,  and  gave 
us  rain  from  heaven,  and  fruitful  seasons,  filling  our  hearts 
with  Tood   and   gladness." 

34.  God  provides  rain  and  sunshine.     He  cares  even  for  those  things 

which  seem  of  little  value  in  the  world.  Repeat  Matt.  10, 
29.  30.  "Are  not  two  sparrows  sold  for  a  farthing?  And  one 
of  them  shall  not  fall  on  the  ground  without  your  Father. 
But  the  very  hairs  of  your  head  are  all   numbered." 

35.  But  even   the  great  things   in  the  government  of  the  world  are 

under  his  direction.  Nothing  is  beyond  his  control  as  we 
see  from  Acts  17,  26.  "And  hath  made  of  one  blood  all 
nations  of  men  for  to  dwell  on  all  the  face  of  the  earth, 
and  hath  determined  the  times  before  appointed,  and  the 
bounds  of  their  habitation." 

36.  God  exercises  a  special  providence  over  man.     So  we  read  Prov, 

16.  9.  "A  man's  heart  deviseth  his  way:  but  the  Lord  di- 
recteth   his  steps." 

37.  What  does   the  psalmist  say  of  his  life,   Ps.   31,   15?     "My  times 

are  in  thy  hand." 

38.  The    same    we    see    from    .Tol)    14,    5.      "Seeing    his    days    are    de- 

termined, the  number  of  his  months  are  with  thee,  thou  hast 
appointed   his  bounds  that  he  cannot  pass." 


LESSON   40.  165 

39.  What   a   comforting  thought   that   our  lives   are  in  God's   hands, 

and  that  He  directs  even  the  thoughts  of  our  hearts,  as  we 
see  from  Psalm  33,  13-15.  "The  Lord  looketh  from  heaven; 
He  beholdeth  all  the  sons  of  men.  From  the  place  of  his 
habitation  he  looketh  upon  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth. 
He  fashioneth  their  hearts  alike;  he  considereth  all  their 
works." 

40.  The  same  we  see  from  Prov.  L'l,  1.     "The  kings  heart  is  in  the 

hand  of  the  Lord,  as  the  rivers  of  water:  he  turneth  it 
whithersoever  he  will." 

41.  Even  when  things  come  over  us  that  are  evil,  God  overrules  them 

for  good.  Repeat  Gen.  50,  20.  "Ye  thought  evil  against  me; 
but  God  meant  it  unto  good." 

42.  These  are  the  words  of  .Joseph,  which  he  spake  to  his  brethren. 

What  great  evil  did  they  do  to  their  brother?  They  sold 
him  into  slavery  in  Egypt. 

43.  And  yet  what  became  of  him  there?     He  became  the   next  man 

to  the  king. 

44.  And   what   great  service   was  he   able   to   render   his  father   and 

the  whole  family?  He  supplied  them  with  food  and  kept 
them  during  the  famine. 

45.  So   God   permitted    the  evil   and   yet   overruled   it    for   good.     So 

the  apostle  tells  us  God  does  with  his  children.  Repeat 
Rom.  8,  28.  "We  know  that  all  things  work  together  for 
good  to  them  that  love  God." 

46.  For  God  exercises  his  providence  not  only  for  his  own  glory,. but 

what  other  object  has  he  in  view  according  to  question  ]fi9? 
I  he  salvation  of  the  saints. 

47.  (170)     "What  moves  God  to  show  you  such  mercies?"     "He  does 

all  this  purely  out  of  fatherly,  divine  goodness  and  mercy, 
without  any  merit  or  worthiness   in   me." 

48.  When   Jacob  came   to  his  own   country  after  a   long  absence  in 

distant  lands,  where  God  had  so  richly  blessed  him  and  made 
him  a  man  of  wealth  and  the  father  of  a  large  family,  how 
did  he  feel  about  it?  What  did  he  say  to  God?  Gen.  32,  10. 
"I  am  not  worthy  of  the  least  of  all  the  mercies,  and  of  all  the 
truth,  which  thou  hast  showed  unto  thy  servant." 

49.  No,  we  have  not  deserved  God's  goodness.     What  have  we  rather 

deserved  by  our  sins?  We  have  deserved  God's  anger  and 
punishment. 

50.  Then    what    is    it    that    moves    God    to    be    so   kind    to    us?      His 

fatherly  goodness  and  mercy. 

51.  (171 )     "What  then  is  your  duty  to  this  kind  and  merciful  Father"? 

"For  all  which  it  is  my  duty  to  thank  and  praise,  to  serve 
and  obey   Him." 

52.  When  any  one   does   you  a  favor,   what  is  the  proper  thing  for 

you  to  do?     I  should  thank  him. 

53.  So  we   are  admonished,    Ps.    107,   1,   with   reference  to   God.    ."O 

give  thanks  unto  the  Lord,  for  he  is  good:  and  his  mercy 
endureth  forever." 

54.  And  again  let  us  hear  Ps.  103,  1.  2.     "Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul: 

and  all  that  is  within  me,  bless  his  holy  name.  Bless  the 
Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  forget  not  all  his  benefits." 


166  LESSON    50. 

55.  But  we  should  not  only  thank  him  in  words  but  how  else  should 

our  thanks   be   expressed?     Our   thanks   should   also    be   ex- 
pressed in  acts. 

56.  How  can  we  do  this?     When  we  serve  and  obey  him. 

57.  To  this   Ps.   100,   2,  admonishes   us.  "Serve   the    Lord   with    glad- 

ness." 

58.  Repeat  also  Jer.  11,  4.     "Obey  my  voice  and  do  them    (my  com- 

mandments) according  to  all  which  I  command  you:  so  shall 
ye  be  my  people,  and  I  will  be  your  God." 

59.  With  what  words   do   we   conclude   the  explanation  of  this  first 

article,  as  well  as  the  second  and  third  articles?     With  the 
words:      "This   is  most  certainly  true." 

60.  (172)     "Why  do  we  conclude  the  explanation  of  each  one  of  the 

three  articles  with  the  words:     This  is  most  certainly  true." 
"To  testify  that  we  heartily  believe  what  we  here  confess." 

61.  These  things  we  do  not  simply  confess  with  our  lips,  but  why 

do   we   confess   them?      Because   we    believe   them    with    our 
hearts. 


THE  SECOND  ARTICLE 


I.    THE  PERSON  OF  CHRIST 


LESSON    50.     THE    NAMES    OF   THE   SAVIOR. 

(Question   173-179.) 

1.  Of  what  does  the  second  part  of  the  Catechism  treat?     It  treats 

of  the  three  articles  of  the  Christian   faith,  or  the  Creed. 

2.  Of  what  dbes  the  first  article  treat?     It  treats  of  creation. 

3.  Of  which  person  of  the  Trinity  does  it  treat?     It  treats  of  the 

first  person  of  the  Trinity,  of  God  the  Father. 

4.  Of  which  person  does  the  second  article  treat?     It  treats  of  the 

second  person,  of  God  the  Son. 

5.  Of  what  work   does   the  second   article  treat?      It  treats  of   the 

work  of  redemption. 

6.  (173)     "Repeat    the    second    article — of    redemption."      "And     in 

Jesus  Christ,   his  only  Son,  our   Lord,"  etc. 

7.  Repeat  the  first  article.     "I   believe  in  God  the  Father  Almighty, 

Maker  of  heaven  and  earth." 

8.  Now,  when  you  say  in  the  second  article:     "And  in  Jesus  Christ," 

what  two  words  must  be  put  in  after  the  word  "And"  to 
make  the  sentence  complete?     The  words  "I  believe." 

9.  Yes,  here  we  confess  our  faith  in  Jesus  Christ.     And  this  is  the 

very  heart  of  our  Christian  faith.  This  faith  in  Jesus 
Christ  is  what  really  makes  us  Christians.  So  you  see  how 
very  important  this  second  article  is.  Repeat  it  again.  "And 
in  Jesus  Christ,  his  only  Son,  our  Lord,"  etc. 


LESSON    50.  167 

10.  (174)     "What  does  this  mean?"    "I  believe  that  Jesus  Christ,  true 

God,  begotten  of  the  Father  from  eternity,  and  also  true 
man,  born  of  the  virgin  Mary,  is  my  Lord,  who  has  re- 
deemed me,  a  lost  and  condemned  creature,  purchased  and 
won  me  from  all  sins,  from  death  and  from  the  power  of 
the  devil,  not  with  gold  or  silver,  but  with  his  holy,  precious 
blood  and  his  innocent  sufferings  and  death,  that  I  may  be 
his  own,  and  live  under  him  in  his  kingdom  and  serve  him 
in  everlasting  righteousness,  innocence  and  blessedness, 
even  as  he  is  risen  from  the  dead,  lives  and  reigns  to  all 
eternity.     This   is  most  certainly  true." 

11.  (175)     "How    many    parts    does    this    article   and    its   explanation 

contain?"  "Principally  two:  the  first  treats  of  the  person  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ;   the  second  of  his  office." 

12.  This   first   article  tells   lis   who  Jesus   Christ   is.     What   question 

do  you  answer  when  you  describe  the  person  of  Jesus 
Christ?     The  question:    Who  is  Jesus  Christ? 

13.  And  what  question  do  you  answer  when  you  describe  his  office, 

or  work?     The  question:     What  does  he  do? 

14.  (176)     "What  words  in  this  article  treat  particularly  of  Christ's 

person?"  "And  in  Jesus  Christ,  his  only  Son  our  Lord,  who 
was  conceived  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  born  of  the  Virgin  Mary." 

15.  When  you  say:     "His  only  Son,"  whose  son  do  you  mean?     We 

mean   God's  only   Son,  the  only  Son   of  God  the   Father. 

16.  What  do   you   say  of  the   only   Son   of   God  in   reference   to   us? 

We  say  that  he  is  our  Lord. 

17.  By   whom    was    he    conceived?      He   was    conceived    by   the    Holy 

Ghost. 

18.  Of  whom  was  he  born?     He  was  born  of  the  Virgin   Mary. 

19.  (177)     "Who  accordingly  is  Jesus  Christ?"     "True  God,  begotten 

of  the  Father  from  eternity,  and  also  true  man,  born  of  the 
Virgin    Mary,  my   Lord." 

20.  How   many  facts  do  you   here  state  in  answer  to  the  question: 

Who  is  Jesus  Christ?     Two  facts. 

21.  Which  is  the  first?    The  first  is  that  Jesus  Christ  is  true  God. 

22.  And  which  is  the  second?     The  second  is  that  he  is  true  man, 

23.  What   is    said    of    Him    as   true   God?      He    was    begotten    of   the 

Father  from    eternity. 

24.  And   what   is   said   of  Him   as   true   man?      He   was   born    of   the 

virgin  Mary. 

25.  Repeat  the  passage  Rom.  9,  5.     "Whose  are  the  fathers,  and  of 

whom  as  concerning  the  flesh  Christ  came,  who  is  over  all, 
God  blessed  forever.     Amen." 

26.  As  to  his  flesh,  that  is,  his  human  nature,  from  whom  did  Christ 

come?     He  came  from  the   Fathers. 

27.  That  is,  from   his   human   ancestors.     He   was   a   descendant   of 

Adam,  Noah,  Abraham,  and  David,  who  were  human  beings, 
men;  what  must  he  also  be  accordingly?  He  also  must  be  a 
human   being. 

28.  But  what  else   does   the   apostle  say  of   Christ   in   this  passage? 

He   says  that   he   is  God   over   all,   blessed  forever. 

29.  So  he  is  not  a  mere  man,  but  what  is  he?     He  is  also  God. 

30.  By  what  two  names  do  we  usually  call  the  Savior?     We  call  him 

Jesus  Christ. 


168  LESSON    50. 

31.  (178)     "Why  is  he  called  Jesus?"     "Because  he  is  in  truth  what 

this  name  means,  namely,  our  Savior." 

32.  What  does  this  name  Jesus  mean?    The  name  Jesus  means  Savior. 

33.  What  is  a  savior?     A  savior  is  one  who  saves. 

34.  When  do  men  need  a  savior?     When  they  are  in   danger. 

35.  In  the  answer  to  question  178,  what  are  we  told  of  Jesus,  aside 

from  the  fact  that  he  is  called  Savior?  We  are  told  that 
he  really  is  a  Savior. 

36.  Some   people  have  names  that  do   not   mean   anything.     People 

often  give  a  child  a  name  simply  because  it  sounds  well. 
Not  so  with  God.  Now  let  us  hear  how  the  Savior  got  his 
name  Jesus.  Repeat  Mat.  1,  21.  "She  shall  bring  forth  a 
son,  and  thou  shalt  call  his  name  Jesus:  for  he  shall  save 
his  people  from  their  sins." 

37.  Here  the  angel  Gabriel,  the  hiessenger  of  God,  was   talking  to 

Joseph  concerning  his  intended  wife  Mary  and  the  child 
she  should  give  birth  to.  W^hat  did  he  say  as  to  the  name 
of  this  child?     It  was  to  be  called  Jesus. 

38.  How,  accordingly,  did  the  child  get  this  name?    God  ordered  it  so. 

39.  Yes,    and    God    did    this    for   a    purpose.      The    child    was    to    be 

exactly  what  this  name  said,  namely  what?     A  Savior. 

40.  Why    did    the    angel    say    this    child    of    Mary    should    be    called 

Jesus?     Because  he  should  save  his  people. 

41.  From   what  was   he   to   save   his    people?      He   was   to    save    his 

people   from    their  sins. 

42.  Joseph  was  a  savior  of  his  father's  family  during  the  famine  in 

Canaan.  What  did  he  save  them  from?  He  saved  them 
from  starvation. 

43.  But   Jesus    saves    us,    his    people,   from    worse    than    starvation. 

From  what  does  he  save  us?     He  saves  us  from  sin. 

44.  Now  repeat  Acts  4,  12.     "Neither  is  there  salvation  in  any  other: 

for  there  is  none  other  name  under  heaven  given  among 
men,  whereby  they  must  be  saved." 

45.  He  is  our  only  Savior,  not  a  but  the  Savior.     Besides  Him  there 

is  none  other.  How  does  the  apostle  express  this  in  the 
passage  you  have  just  repeated?  "There  is  none  other  name 
under  heaven  given  among  men  whereby  we  must  be  saved." 

46.  Now  let  us  hear  the  story  of  the  naming  of  Jesus,  as  we  find  it 

in  Luke  2,  21.  "When  eight  days  were  accomplished  for 
the  circumcision  of  the  child,  his  name  was  called  Jesus, 
which  was  so  named  of  the  angel  before  he  was  conceived 
in  the  womb." 

47.  How  precious  this  name  Jesus  should  be  to  us.     By  what  other 

name  do  we  designate  the  Savior?     We  also  call  him  Christ. 

48.  (179)     "Why    is    he    called    Christ?"      "He    is    called    Christ,    or 

Messiah,  that  is,  anointed,  because  he  was  anointed  without 
measure  with  the  Holy  Ghost  to  be  our  Prophet,  High  Priest 
and   King." 

49.  What  other  name  means  the  same  as  "Christ"?     The  name  "Mes- 

siah." 

50.  And  what  does  this  name  "Christ"  or  "Messiah"  mean?     It  means 

the  anointed  one. 

51.  In  the  Old  Testament  three  kinds  of  official  persons  were  anointed. 

the  prophets,  the  high  priests  and  the  kings.  Who  was  the 
first   king  in   Israel?     Saul   was  the  first   king    in    Israel. 


LESSON    50.  169 

52.  Read  1  Sam.  10,  1.     "Then  Samuel  took  a  vial  of  oil  and  poured 

it  upon  his  head,  and  kissed  him,  and  said:  Is  it  not  be- 
cause the  Lord  hath  anointed  thee  to  be  a  captain  over  his 
inheritance?" 

53.  How  did  Samuel  here  anoint  Saul?     He  poured  oil  on  him. 

54.  In  whose  name  did  Samuel  do  this?     He  did   it  in  the  name  of 

the   Lord. 

55.  In  a  similar  manner  Aaron   was   anointed.     What  office   did   he 

hold  in  Israel?     He  was  the  first  high  priest. 

56.  In  Lev.   8,   12,  we  read  how   Moses   anointed   Aaron   to   be  high 

priest.  Read  the  passage.  "He  poured  of  the  anointing 
oil  upon   Aaron's   head,  and  anointed    him,  to  sanctify   him." 

57.  Likewise  the  prophets  also  were  anointed  with  oil.     Read  1  Kings 

19,  15.  16.  "The  Lord  said  unto  him.  Go,  return  on  thy 
way  to  the  wilderness  of  Damascus:  and  when  thou  comest, 
anoint  Hazael  to  be  king  over  Syria.  And  Jehu,  the  son  of 
Nimshi,  shalt  thou  anoint  to  be  king  over  Israel:  and  Elisha, 
the  son  of  Shaphat  of  Abel-meholah  shalt  thou  anoint  to  be 
prophet   in   thy   room." 

58.  Accordingly   Christ   was   anointed   to   what   threefold   office?      He 

was  anointed  to  be  Prophet,  High   Priest  and   King. 

59.  The  prophets,  high  priests  arid  kings  of  the  Old  Testament  were 

anointed  with  holy  oil,  but  with  what  was  Christ  anointed? 
He  was  anointed  with  the  Holy  Ghost. 

60.  Read  Ps.  45,  7.     "Thou   lovest   righteousness,  and   hatest  wicked- 

ness: therefore  God,  thy  God,  hath  anointed  thee  with  the  oil 
of  gladness  above  thy  fellows." 

61.  What  is  the  oil  of  gladness  here  spoken  of?     It  is  the  Holy  Ghost. 

62.  All  Christians  receive  the  Holy  Ghost  in  a  certain  measure,  but 

what  is  said  of  the  Savior?  He  received  the  Holy  Ghost 
without  measure,  more  than  his  fellows. 

63.  Repeat  Acts   10,  38.     "God   anointed   Jesus  of  Nazareth   with   the 

Holy  Ghost  and  with  power." 

64.  Read  Isa.  61,  1-3.     "The  spirit  of  the   Lord  God   is  upon   rr.e;     be- 

cause the  Lord  hath  anointed  me  to  preach  good  tidings 
unto  the  meek;  he  hath  sent  me  to  bind  up  the  broken- 
hearted, to  proclaim  liberty  to  the  captives,  and  the  opening 
of  the  prison  to  them  that  are  bound;  to  proclaim  the  ac- 
ceptable year  of  the  Lord,  and  the  day  of  vengeance  of  our 
God;  to  comfort  all  that  mourn;  to  appoint  unto  them 
that  mourn  in  Zion,  to  give  unto  them  beauty  for  ashes, 
the  oil  of  joy  for  mourning,  the  garment  of  praise  for  the 
spirit  of  heaviness;  that  they  might  be  called  trees  of 
righteousness,  the  planting  of  the  Lord,  that  he  might  be 
glorified." 

65.  This    is    a   prophecy    concerning   the    Savior.      In    liUke    4,    17-21, 

the  Savior  refers  to  this  prophecy  as  being  fulfilled  in  him. 
Now  read  Luke  3,  21-22,  and  let  us  see  in  what  wonderful 
manner  the  Holy  Ghost  was  given  to  the  Savior.  "Now 
when  all  the  people  were  baptized,  it  came  to  pass,  that 
Jesus  also  being  baptized  and  praying,  the  heaven  was 
opened,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  descended  in  a  bodily  shape 
like  a  dove  upon  him  and  a  voice  came  from  heaven,  which 
said.  Thou  art  my  beloved  sen;     in  Thee   I  am  well   pleased." 


170  LESSON    51. 

66.  On  what  occasion,  then,  did  Jesus  receive  the  Holy  Ghost  in  such 

a  wonderful  manner?     When  he  was  baptized. 

67.  Thus  he  was  anointed  with  the  Holy  Ghost  to  be  our  Prophet, 

High  Priest  and  King.    And  what  name  indicates  this  anoint- 
ing?    The  name  "Christ." 


LESSON   51.     THE   DIVINITY  OF  CHRIST. 

(Question  180.) 

1.  Repeat   the   second    article   of   the    creed.     "I    believe    in    Jesus 

Christ,  His  only  Son  our  Lord,  who  was  conceived  by  the 
Holy  Ghost,  born  of  the  virgin  Mary,  suffered  under  Pon- 
tius Pilate,  was  crucified,  dead  and  buried;  He  descended 
into  hell;  the  third  day  He  arose  again  from  the  dead;  He 
ascended  into  heaven,  and  sitteth  at  the  right  hand  of  God 
the  Father  Almighty,  from  thence  He  shall  come  to  judge 
the  quick  and  the  dead." 

2.  What  does   this   mean?     "I    believe  that   Jesus  Christ,  true   God, 

begotten  of  the  Father  from  eternity,  and  also  true  man, 
born  of  the  virgin  Mary,  is  my  Lord,  who  has  redeemed  me, 
a  lost  and  condemned  creature  purchased  and  won  me  from 
all  sins,  from  death,  and  from  the  power  of  the  devil,  not 
with  gold  or  silver,  but  with  His  holy  precious  blood,  and 
His  innocent  sufferings  and  death,  that  I  may  be  His  own, 
and  live  under  Him  in  His  kingdom,  and  serve  Him  in  ever- 
lasting righteousness,  innocence,  and  blessedness,  even  as 
He  is  risen  from  the  dead,  lives  and  reigns  to  all  eternity. 
This   is   most  certainly  true." 

3.  Who,   according  to   the   first   sentence   of  this   answer,   is   Jesus 

Christ?  He  is  true  God,  begotten  of  the  Father  from  etern- 
ity, and  also  true  man,  born  of  the  virgin  Mary,  my  Lord. 

4.  What  is  the  first  thing  you  here  confess  concerning  the  Savior? 

I  confess  that  He  is  true  God. 

5.  (180)     "Why  do  you  believe  that  Jesus  Christ  is  true  God?"  "Be- 

cause in  Holy  Scripture  the  names,  attributes,  works,  and 
honor  which  pertain  to  God  only,  are  expressly  ascribed  to 
Him." 

6.  Where  do  we  find  that  the  names,  attributes,  works  and  honor 

of  God  are  expressly  ascribed  to  Christ?  We  find  this  in 
the  Holy  Scriptures. 

7.  Where  do  we  get  the  proof  that  Jesus  Christ  is  true  God?     We 

get  it  from  the  Bible. 

8.  What   is    the   source   of  all   the    doctrines,   or  teachings,   of   our 

Christian  religion?     The  Word  of  God. 

9.  Why,  then,   do  we  believe  that  Jesus   Christ  is  true  God?     Be- 

cause the  Bible  teaches  so. 

10.  Now  let  us  examine  more  carefully  what  the  Bible  teaches  con- 

cerning the  divine  person  of  Christ.  What,  according  to 
question  180,  is  the  first  thing  which  the  Holy  Scriptures 
expressly  ascribe  to  Him?  The  names  which  pertain  to 
God  only. 

11.  Repeat    John    20,    28.      "Thomas    answered    and    said    unto    Him, 

My  Lord,  and  my  God." 


LESSON    51.  171 

12.  When  Jesus,  after  the  resurrection,  appeared  in  the  midst  of  his 

disciples,  what  did  Thomas  call  Him?  He  called  him: 
"My   Lord   and   my  God." 

13.  Did  Jesus  allow  himself  to  be  called  Lord  and  God?    Yes,  he  did. 

14.  Why,  do  you   suppose,  Jesus  allowed  Thomas  to  call  him  Lord 

and  God?     Because   it  is  true;    he  is  Lord  and  God. 

15.  If  he  were  not  what  these  names  say,  what  would  Jesus  surely 

have  said  to  Thomas?  He  would  have  said:  "Thomas,  you 
must  not  call   me   Lord  and  God." 

16.  But  Jesus    did   not  forbid    Thomas   to   call   him   Lord    and   God; 

what  does  this  plainly  prove?  It  proves  that  He  is  Lord  and 
God. 

17.  Repeat  also  a  passage  which  we  considered  already  under  ques- 

tion 177,  Rom.  9,  5.  "Whose  are  the  fathers,  and  of  whom 
as  concerning  the  flesh  Christ  came,  who  is  over  all,  God 
blessed  for  ever." 

18.  What  is  Christ  here  called?     He  is  called  God  over  all. 

19.  Repeat  1  John  5,  20.     "This  is  the  true  God,  and  eternal  life." 

20.  Of  whom  is  the  apostle  speaking  when  he  says:  this  one  is  the 

true  God  and  eternal  life?     He  is  speaking  of  the  Savior. 

21.  Now  repeat  Rom.  8,  32.     "God  spared  not  his  own  Son." 

22.  Who  is  the  Son  of  God,  here  spoken  of?     He  is  our  Savior. 

23.  Now  the  son  is  of  the  same  nature  as  the  father.     He  must  be 

the  same  kind  of  being  as  his  father.  If  Jesus  is  God's 
own  son,  what  kind  of  person  must  he  be?  He  must  be  a 
divine  person,   he  must  be  God. 

24.  Now  turn  to  Jer.  23,  6,  and  read  it.     "In   His  days  Judah  shall 

be  saved,  and  Israel  shall  dwell  safely:  and  this  is  His 
name  whereby  He  shall  be  called,  the  Lord  our  righteous- 
ness." 

25.  This    is    a   prophecy   concerning   the    Savior;     what   is   he   here 

called?     He   is  called   the   Lord   our   righteousness. 

26.  What   did   the   angel   say   to   the  shepherds   at   the   time  of  the 

Savior's  birth?  Luke  2,  11.  "Unto  you  is  born  this  day 
in  the  city  of  David  a  Savior,  which   is  Christ,  the  Lord." 

27.  Now  read  John  1,  18.     "No  man  hath  seen  God  at  any  time;    the 

only  begotten  Son,  which  is  in  the  bosom  of  the  Father,  he 
hath  declared  him." 

28.  What  is  the  Savior  here  called?     He  is  called  the  only  begotten 

Son  of  the  Father. 

29.  Read  also  Col.  2,  9.     "In  Him  dwelleth  all  the  fulness  of  the  god- 

head bodily." 

30.  Also   1  Tim.   3,   16.     "Without  controversy  great    is  the   mystery 

of  godliness!  God  was  manifested  in  the  flesh,  justified  in 
the  spirit,  seen  of  angels,  preached  unto  the  gentiles,  be- 
lieved on  in  the  world,  received  up  into  glory." 

31.  From  all   these   passages   we   see   that  Jesus  is   expressly  called 

God.  The  Scriptures  ascribe  to  him  the  names  which  per- 
tain to  God  only.  But  what  else  do  they  ascribe  to  Him, 
besides  the  names  which  pertain  to  God  only?  They  also 
ascribe  to    Him   the  attributes  which   belong  to   God   only. 


172  LESSON    51. 

32.  There  are  certain  attributes,  or  qualities,  wliicli  no  one  has  but 

God  alone.  Can  you  mention  the  divine  attributes?  You 
will  find  them  under  question  142.  God  is  eternal,  om- 
nipotent, omnipresent,  omniscient,  holy,  righteous,  merciful 
and  truthful. 

33.  What  does  eternal  mean?     Eternal  means  without  beginning  and 

without  end. 

34.  Who  alone  is  eternal?     God  alone  Is  eterngl. 

35.  Now,  if  the  Scriptures  say  that  Christ  is  eternal,  what  does  that 

prove  with  reference  to  his  person?  It  proves  that  he  Is  a 
divine  person,  that  he  Is  true  God. 

36.  Let  us  see  what  the  Scriptures  say  of  Christ,  Micah  5,  2.     "But 

thou  Bethlehem  Ephratah,  though  thou  be  little  among  the 
thousands  of  Judah,  yet  out  of  thee  shall  He  come  forth 
unto  me  that  Is  to  be  Ruler  in  Israel:  whose  goings  forth 
have  been  from  of  old,  from  everlasting." 

37.  This  is  a  prophecy  concerning  the  Savior.     What  is  said  of  him 

in  the  last  clause?  His  goings  forth  have  been  from  of  old, 
from  everlasting. 

38.  Another  wonderful   prophecy  we   have   in   Is.   9,   G.     "Unto    us   a 

child  Is  born,  unto  us  a  son  is  given:  and  the  government 
shall  be  upon  his  shoulder:  and  His  name  shall  be  called 
Wonderful,  Counsellor,  the  mighty  God,  the  everlasting 
Father,  the  Prince  of  Peace." 

39.  Here  the  coming  Savior  is  called  the  mighty  God,  the  everlasting 

Father.  In  the  first  chapter  of  .John's  gospel  the  apostle 
speaks  of  Christ  as  the  Word!  of  God  that  was  made  flesh. 
Read  .lohn  1,  1-2.  "In  the  beginning  was  the  Word,  and  the 
Word  was  with  God,  and  the  Word  was  God..  The  same  was 
In  the  beginning  with  God."^ 

40.  Christ  is   here   called   the   Word   of  God,   which   was   in  the   be- 

ginning, namely,  that  he  already  was  when  other  things  be- 
gan. That  is,  he  never  had  a  beginning,  he  is  etei'nal.  Now 
read  Heb.  13,  8.  "Jesus  Christ,  the  same  yesterday,  today 
and  forever." 

41.  Read  also  what  the  Savior  says  of  himself  in  John  8,  58.     "Jesus 

said  unto  them.  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  before  Abraham 
was   I  am." 

42.  From  all  these  passages  we  learn  that  Jesus   Christ  is  eternal; 

what  does  this  prove  with  reference  to  his  person?  It  proves 
that  he  Is  a  divine  person,  that  he  Is  true  God. 

43.  But  according  to  the   Scriptures   Christ  is  not  only  eternal,   but 

also  omnipresent.  What  Ivind  of  an  attribute  is  omnipres- 
ence?    Omnipresence  Is  a  divine  attribute. 

44.  Who  alone  is  everywhere  present  at  the  same  time?     God  alone 

is  everywhere  present  at  the  same  time. 

45.  What  does  the   Savior  say  of  himself  in   Mat.   18.   20?     "Where 

two  or  three  are  gathered  together  In  my  name,  there  am  I 
in  the  midst  of  them." 

46.  Read  also  Mat.  28,  20.     "Lo,  I  am  with  you  alway,  even  unto  the 

end   of  the  world." 

47.  From  these  passages  we  learn  that  Jesus  is  everywhere  present 

at  the  same  time:  and  if  so,  who  must  he  be?  He  must 
be  God. 


Lesson  51.  173 


48.  We  learn  from  the  Scriptures  that  Jesus  is  not  only  eternal  and 
omnipresent,  but  also  that  he  is  almighty.  Repeat  Mat. 
28,  18.     "All  power  is  given  unto  me  in  heaven  and  in  earth." 

4;).  If  he  has  all  power,  what  kind  of  person  must  he  be?  He  must 
be  a  divine  person. 

50.  Yes,  he  must  be  true  God.     But  Jesus  is  not  only  eternal,  omni- 

present and  almighty,  but  also  omniscient.  He  knows  all 
things.  Tills  we  learn  from  John  2,  2.5.  "He  knew  what 
was  in  man." 

51.  Who  alone  can  know  what  is  in  man,  that  is  in  his  heart?     God 

alone  can   know  this. 

52.  Read  what   Peter  confesses   concerning  the   Savior,  John   21,   17. 

"Lord,  thou  knowest  all  things." 

53.  If  the  Savior  knows  all  things  who  must  he  ])e?     He  must  be  God, 

54.  Yes,  his  divine  attributes  prove  him  to  be  true  God.     But  from 

Question  180  we  learn,  not  only  that  Jesus  has  divine  names 
and  attributes,  but  also  that  he  does  what  kind  of  works? 
That  he  does  divine  works. 

55.  The  work  of  creation  is  such  a  divine  work.     Who  created  the 

world?     God  created   the  world. 

56.  We  have  already  seen  that  in  the  first  chapter  of  John's  gospel 

the  Savior  is  called  the  Word  of  God  that  was  made  flesh. 
Now  read  what  is  said  of  this  Word  in  John  1,  H.  "All  things 
were  made  by  Him;  and  without  Him  was  not  anything 
made  that  was  made." 

57.  Now  if  all  things  Avere  made  by  Christ,  who  must  he  be?     He 

must  be  God. 

58.  But  God  alone  not  only  made  all  things,  he  alone  also  preserves 

and  keeps  all  things.  T.et  us  see  what  the  apostle  says  of 
Jesus,  Heb.  1,  3.  "He  upholds  all  things  by  the  word  of 
his  power." 

59.  Read   also  what   the  apostle   says   of   Christ,   Col.   1,   16-17.     "For 

by  Him  were  all  things  created,  that  are  in  heaven  and  that 
are  in  earth,  visible  and  invisible,  whether  they  be  thrones, 
or  dominions,  or  principalities,  or  powers:  all  things  were 
created  by  him,  and  for  him:  And  he  is  before  all  things, 
and  by  him  all  things  consist." 

60.  Who  must  Christ  be,  since  all  things  were  created  l)y  him,  and 

consist,  or  are  preserved,  by  him?  He  must  be  God. 

61.  What  do  we  call  those  wonderful  works  which  Jesus  performed 

while  he  walked  visibly  on  earth?     We  call  them   miracles. 

62.  Can  you  mention  some  of  these  miracles  of  Jesus?     He   healed 

the  man  sick  of  the  palsy;  he  opened  the  eyes  of  the  blind; 
he  cleansed  the  ten  lepers;    he  raised  Lazarus  from  the  dead'. 

63.  What  power  did  it  require  to  perform  such  works?     Divine  power. 

64.  What  did  Jesus  say  to  the  dead  son  of  the  poor  widow  of  Nain? 

Luke  7,  14.     "Young  man,   I   say  unto  thee,  arise." 

65.  Yes,  and  he  did  arise  from  the  dead.    Which  was  the  first  miracle 

that  Jesus  performerl?  He  turned  water  into  wine  at  the 
marriage  at  Cana. 

66.  Read  what  is  said  of  this  miracle,  John  2.  11.     "This  beginning  of 

miracles  did  Jesus  in  Cana  of  Galilee,  and  manifested  forth 
his  glory;,  and  his  disciples  believed   on   him." 


174  LESSON    52. 

67.  What  did  Jesus  manifest  by  this  and  other  miracles?     He  mani- 

fested   his  glory. 

68.  Yes,  he  showed  that  he  was  God  and  his  disciples   believed  on 

him.  And  so  should  we  also  believe  on  him.  That  is,  what 
should  we  believe  as  to  his  person?  We -should  believe  that 
he  is  true  God. 

69.  Now  read   Mat.  9,  6.     "The   Son  of   Man   hath   power  on   earth  to 

forgive   sins." 

70.  Who   must   Jesus   be,   since  he  has   power  to   forgive   sins?      He 

must  be  God. 

71.  Read  also  John  5,  27.     "The   Father  hath   given  to  the   Son   au- 

thority to  execute  judgment  also,  because  he  is  the  Son 
of  Man." 

72.  This  power  to  judge  all  men  at  the  end  of  days  is  what  kind  of 

a  power?     It  is  a  divine  power. 

73.  And  if  Jesus  has  this  power  who  must  he  be?     He  must  be  God. 

74.  So   we   see   that  in  the   Scriptures   divine  names,  attributes  and 

works  are  ascribed  to  the  Savior.  But,  according  to  question 
180,  what  else  is  also  ascribed  to  him?     Divine  honor. 

75.  Repeat  John  5,  23.     "All  men  should  honor  the  Son,  even  as  they 

honor  the  Father.  He  that  honoreth  not  the  Son  honoreth 
not  the   Father  which   sent   him." 

76.  Here  we  are  told  that  all  men  should  honor  Jesus  just  as  they 

honor  God  the  Father.  Who  must  Jesus  be  since  he  is  to 
receive  divine  honor?     He  must  be  God. 

77.  Repeat  also  Phil.  2,  10.     "That  at  the  name  of  Jesus  every  knee 

should  bc*/v,  of  things  in  heaven,  and  things  in  earth,  and 
things   under   the   earth." 

78.  Who  must  Jesus  be  since  all  men  are  to  bow  the  knee,  that  is, 

worship  Him?     He  must  be  God. 

79.  In  Heb.  1,   6,  we  are  told  that  even  the  angels  are  to  worship 

Jesus.  Read  the  passage.  "When  he  bringeth  in  the  first- 
begotten  into  the  world,  he  saith:  And  let  all  the  angels 
of  God  worship  him." 

80.  From  this  we  see  that  Jesus  Christ  must  be  true  .God;    for,  ac- 

cording to  Question  180,  what  is  ascribed  to  Him  by  Holy 
Scripture?  The  names,  attributes,  works  and  honor  which 
pertain  to  God  alone. 


LESSON    52.     THE    HUMANITY   OF   CHRIST. 

(Question  181.) 

Repeat  the  Second  Article  of  the  Creed.     "And   in  Jesus  Christ, 

His    only    Son,   our    Lord,   who   was   conceived    by   the    Holy 

Ghost."  etc. 
What  does  this  mean?     "I    believe  that  Jesus  Christ,  true  God, 

begotten    of   the    Father  from    eternity,    and    also    true    man, 

born  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  is  my  Lord,"  etc. 
According   to   the    first   sentence    of   this    answer,   who    is   Jesus 

Christ?      "He    is    true    God,    begotten    of    the    Father    from 

eternity,   and   also  true    man,   born   of  the   Virgin    Mary,    my 

Lord." 


LESSON    52. 


175 


4.  What  is  the  first  thing  you  say  of  Christ  in  this  answer?     That 

He  is  true  God,  begotten  of  the  Father  from  eternity. 

5.  In  Question  180,  we  have  seen  the  reasons  why  we  believe  that 

Jesus  Christ  is  true  God.  Repeat  the  aiiswer  to  that  ques- 
tion. "Because  in  Holy  Scriptures  the  names,  attributes, 
works  and  honor,  which  pertain  to  God  only,  are  expressly 
ascribed  to   Him." 

6.  But  Jesus   Christ  is  not  only  true   God;     what  else  is  He?     He 

is  also  true  man. 

7.  (181)     "Why  do  you  l)elieve  that  Jesus  Christ  is  true  man?"  "Be- 

cause in  Holy  Scripture  the  names,  essential  parts,  attributes 
and  acts  of  a  man  are  expressly  ascribed  to  Him." 

8.  Where  do  we  find  this  plainly  told  that  Jesus  Christ  is  true  man? 

In  the   Holy  Scriptures. 

9.  What  is  the  first  thing  ascribed  to  Christ  in  the  Scriptures,  ac- 

cording to  Question  181?     The  names  of  a  man. 

10.  That  is,  in  Holy  Scriptures  Christ  is  expressly  called  man;    so 

we  read  in  1  Tim.  2,  5-6.  Repeat  this  passage.  "For  there 
is  one  God,  and  one  Mediator  between  God  and  men,  the 
man  Christ  Jesus,  who  gave  Himself  a  ransom  for  all,  to 
be  testified    in   due  time." 

11.  What  is  the  Savior  here  called?     He  is  called   "the  man   Christ 

Jesus." 

12.  Turn  to  and  read  Luke   23,   47.     "Now  when   the  centurion   saw 

what  was  done,  he  glorified  God,  saying,  'Certainly  this  was 
a   righteous  man.'  " 

13.  What  did   the   centurion   say   of  the   crucified   Savior?      He  said, 

"Certainly  this  was  a   righteous  man." 

14.  Read  the  passage,  Uen.  3.  15.     "I   will   put  enmity  between   thee 

and  the  woman,  and  between  thy  seed  and  her  seed;  it  shall 
bruise  thy  head,  and  thou  shalt  bruise  his  heel." 

15.  The  coming  Savior  of  the  world  is  here  called  the  seed  of  the 

woman.  What  kind  of  being  must  He  therefore  be,  if  He 
was  to  be  born  of  a  woman?     He  must  be  a  human  being. 

16.  Read  also  Gen.  22,  IS.     "In  thy  seed  shall  ail  the  nations  of  the 

earth  be  blessed;     because  thou  hast  obeyed  my  voice." 

17.  Here  the  coming  Savior  of  the  world  is  called  the  seed  of  Abra- 

ham. What  kind  of  being  must  He  be,  if  He  is  a  descendant 
of  Abraham?     He  must  be  a  human  being. 

18.  Read  also  2  Samuel  7,  12.     "When  thy  days  be  fulfilled,  and  thou 

shalt  sleep  with  thy  fathers,  1  will  set  up  thy  seed  after 
thee,  which  shall  proceed  out  of  thy  bowels,  and  I  will  estab- 
lish his  kingdom." 

19.  Here  the  coming  Savior  is  called  the  seed  of  David.     If  He  is  a 

descendant  of  David,  what  kind  of  being  must  He  be?  He 
must  be  a  human  being. 

20.  Now  repeat  Is.  7,  14.     "Behold,  a  virgin  shall  conceive,  and  bear 

a  son,  and   shall  call   His  name   Immanuel." 

21.  Here  the  coming  Savior  is  said  to  be  born  of  a  virgin,  that  is, 

of  a  woman.  What  kind  of  being  must  He  accordingly  be? 
He  must  be  a  human   being. 

22.  In   the   first  chapter   of  Matthew   we  have   a  record   of   Christ's 

ancestors.  If  Christ  was  born  of  human  ancestors,  what 
kind  of  being  must  He  be?     He  must  be  a  human  being. 


176  LESSON    52. 

23.  In  Question  181,  among  the  reasons  why  we  believe  that  Jesus 

Christ  is  true  man,  the  fact  also  is  stated  that  He  has  the 
essential  parts  of  a  man.  What  are  the  essential  parts  of 
a  man?     They  are  body  and  soul. 

24.  If  Jesus  has  both  a  human  body  and  human  soul,  what  kind  of 

being  must  He  be?     He  must  be  a  human  being. 

25.  Repeat  what   the   Savior  says   in   Matthew   26,   38.     "My   soul    is 

exceeding  sorrowful,  even  unto  death." 

26.  Here  the  Savior  speaks  of  his  soul.     The  same  is  true  in  Luke 

23,  46.  Read  this  passage.  "When  Jesus  cried  with  a  loud 
voice,  he  said,  'Father,  into  thy  hands  I  commend  my  spirit,' 
and  having  said  thus.  He  gave  up  the  ghost." 

27.  Jesus  has  not  only  a  human  soul,  but  He  also  has  a  human  body. 

Even  after  the  resurrection,  when  the  Savior  appeared  to  the 
disciples,  what  did  He  say?  Luke  24,  39.  "Behold  my  hands 
and  my  feet,  that  it  is  I  myself;  handle  me  and  see;  for  a 
spirit  hath  not  flesh  and  bone,  as  ye  see  me  have." 

28.  So  we  read  in  Matthew  27,  58,  that  Joseph  of  Arimathea  asked 

Pilate  for  the  body  of  Jesus.  Read  the  passage.  "He  went 
to  Pilate,  and  begged  the  body  of  Jesus.  Then  Pilate  com- 
manded the  body  to  be  delivered." 

29.  Read    also    Heb.    2,    14.      "Forasmuch    then    as   the    children    are 

partakers  of  flesh  and  blood.  He  also  himself  likewise  took 
part  of  the  same;  that  through  death  He  might  destroy 
him  that  had  the  power  of  death,  that  is,  the  devil." 

30.  From  these  passages  we  learn  that  Jesus  has  a  true  human  body. 

If  He  has  a  true  human  body  and  a  true  human  soul,  what 
kind  of  being  must  He  be?     He  must  be  a  human  being. 

31.  Again  we   find  in   the   Holy   Scriptures  that  Jesus  has  not  only 

the  names  and  essential  parts,  but  also  the  attributes  of  a 
man.  It  is  an  attribute  of  a  man  to  grow  and  increase  in 
size  and  knowledge.  What  is  said  of  Jesus  in  Luke  2,  52? 
"Jesus  increased  in  wisdom  and  stature,  and  in  favor  with 
God  and  man." 

32.  The  same  we  read  in  the  40th  verse  of  this  chapter  concerning 

the  child  Jesus.  "The  child  grew,  and  waxed  strong  in  spirit, 
filled  with  wisdom;    and  the  grace  of  God  was  upon  Him." 

33.  It  is  an   attribute  of  humanity  to  be  subject  to  sorrow.     So  we 

read  of  Jesus  in  Matthew  26,  37.  "He  took  with  Him  Peter 
and  the  two  sons  of  Zebedee,  and  began  to  be  sorrowful 
and  very  heavy." 

34.  So  we  find  that  Jesus  shed  tears,  T>uke  19,  41.     "When    He  was 

come  near.  He  beheld  the  city,  and  wept  over  it." 

35.  It  is  human  to  become  tired;     so  we   read  concerning  Jesus  in 

John  4,  6.  "Now  Jacob's  well  was  there.  Jesus  therefore, 
being  wearied  with  His  journey,  sat  thus  on  the  well;  and  it 
was  about  the  sixth   hour." 

36.  So  it  is  human  to  experience  thirst.     Read  what  is  said  of  the 

Savior,  John  19,  28-30.  "After  this,  Jesus  knowing  that  all 
things  were  now  accomplished,  that  the  Scripture  might  be 
fulfilled,  saith  M  thirst.'  Now  there  was  set  a  vessel  full 
of  vinegar;  and  they  filled  a  sponge  with  vinegar,  and  put 
it  upon  hyssop,  and  put  it  to  His  mouth.  When  Jesus  there- 
fore had  received  the  vinegar,  He  said,  'It  is  finished,'  and 
He  bowed   His  head,  and  gave  up  the  ghost." 


LESSON    53.  177 

37.  Here  we  find  that  the  Savior  not  only  thirsted,  and  received  the 

vinegar,  but  that  He  gave  up  the  ghost,  or  died;  and  that 
is  human,  also.  It  is  human  to  eat.  What  do  we  read  of 
Jesus,  Matthew  11,  19?  "The  Son  of  man  came  eating  and 
drinking,  and  they  say,  'Behold  a  man  gluttonous  and  a  wine- 
bibber,  a  friend  of  publicans  and  sinners.'" 

38.  All  this  shows  us  that  Jesus  has  the  attributes  and  does  the  acts 

common    to    human    beings.     What   must    He    therefore   be? 
He  must  be  a  true  human  being. 
o9.     Jesus,    when   He   was    born   of   the   Virgin    Mary,   became   a  true 
human  being,  our  brother.     He  was  like  unto  us  in  all  re- 
spects save  one.    What  are  we  all  by  nature?    We  are  sinners. 

40.  But  what  can  you  say  of  the  Savior  in  this  respect?     He  is  with- 

out sin. 

41.  But  is  He  a  true  human  being  if  He  is  without  sin?     Yes,  He  is. 

42.  What  kind  of  being  was  Adam  before  he  had  sinned?     He  was 

a    human    being. 
4o.     Sin  does  not  make  us  human  beings.     It  does  not  belong"  to  the 
essence  of  man.     So  what  is  Jesus,  although  He  is  sinless? 
He  is  a  human  being. 

44.  Children,  it  is  a  great  comfort  to  know  that  Jesus  is   in  every 

respect  a  true  human  being,  really  and  truly  our  brother. 
We  say,  in  the  Catechism,  "Jesus  Christ  is  true  man,  born  of 
the  Virgin  Mary."  Who  was  Christ's  human  mother?  The 
Virgin   Mary. 

45.  Where  was  Christ  born  as  man?     In  Bethlehem. 

46.  Where    is    Bethlehem,    the    birthplace    of    Jesus?      In    Judea,    or 

Palestine. 

47.  On   what   day  do   we   celebrate   the  birth   of   Jesus?      On    Christ- 

mas day. 

48.  When  does  Christmas  come?     On  the  25th  of  December. 

49.  How  long  ago  is  it  since  Jesus  was  born?     1915  years  ago. 

50.  So  we  count  our  years  from  what  great  event?     From  the  birth 

of  Christ. 

51.  How  do  we  reckon  all  events  that  took  place  before  His  birth? 

As  so  many  years  before  Christ. 

52.  So  what  is  the  great  central  event,  the  most  important  thing  that 

ever  occurred  in  the  history  of  the  world?  The  birth  of 
Jesus  Christ. 

53.  Yes,    children,    let   us    ever   remember  that,    from    the   beginning 

of  the  world  to  the  end  of  it,  nothing  ever  happened  that 
was  or  will  be  more  important  than  the  birth  of  Jesus 
Christ.  Read  Gal.  4,  4-5.  ,"But  when  the  fulness  of  the 
time  was  come,  God  sent  forth  His  Son,  made  of  a  woman, 
made  under  the  law,  To  redeem  them  that  were  under  the 
law,  that  we  might  receive  the  adoption  of  sons." 


LESSON    53.     THE  TWO   NATURES   OF   CHRIST. 

(Question  182-186.) 

1.  Who  is  Jesus  Christ?  He  is  true  God,  begotten  of  the  Father 
from  eternity,  and  also  true  man,  born  of  the  Virgin  Mary, 
my   Lord. 

12 


178  LESSON    53. 

2.  How  many  things  do  you'  say  of  Christ  in  this  manner?     I  say  two 

things  of  Him:  first,  tliat  He  is  true  God,  and  second,  that 
He   is  true   man. 

3.  Give   me   a    Scripture   passage   which   says   that  Jesus   Christ   is 

true  God,  1  John  5,  20.  "This  is  the  true  God  and  eternal 
life." 

4.  Give  me  a  passage  which  says  that  He  is  true  man,  1  Tim.  2,  5-6. 

"There  is  one  God  and  one  mediator  between  God  and  man, 
the  man  Christ  Jesus." 

5.  (182)     "Since  now  Christ  is  true  God  and  true  man,  how  many 

natures  has  He,  and  what  are  they?"  "Two:  the  divine  and 
the  human." 

6.  How  many  natures  has  Christ?     Christ  has  two  natures. 

7.  We  are  only  human  beings,  and  on  that  account  have  only  how 

many  natures?     We  have  only  one  nature. 

8.  What  is  this  nature  of  ours?     It  is  human. 

9.  But  Christ  is  more.     He  is  not  only  man,  but  also  God.     As  God, 

He  has  what  kind  of  nature?    He  has  a  divine  nature. 

10.  And   as  man,   what  kind   of  nature   has   He?      He    has  a   human 

nature. 

11.  (18.3)  "Are  there  not  in  consequence  also  two  persons  in  Christ?" 

"By  no  means,  for  there  is  one  Lord,  Jesus  Christ;  therefore, 
He  is  also  but  one  person.  He  has,  however,  two  distinct 
natures,   which   are   personally   united    in    Him." 

12.  There  are  not  two,  but  how  many  Saviors?     There   is  only  one 

Savior;    one  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

13.  There  are  not  two,  but  how  many  persons  called  Jesus  Christ? 

There   is  only  one  person   by  this  name. 

14.  How  many  persons  are  there  in  God?     There  are  tl^ree  persons 

in   God. 

15.  Which  of  these  persons  is  Jesus  Christ?     He  Is  the  second  person 

of  the  Trinity. 

16.  Yes,  and  this  second  person  in  the  Godhead,  in  the  fullness  of 

time,  became  a  man.  He  assumed  our  human  nature,  and 
became  our  brother.  And  when  He  did  this.  He  did  not  cease 
to  be  God.  Therefore,  since  His  birth  by  the  Virgin  Mary 
He  is  not  only  God,  but  what  is  He?    He  is  both  God  and  man. 

17.  Read  the  passage  1  Cor.  8,  6.     "But  to  us  there  is  but  one  God, 

the  Father,  of  whom  are  all  things,  and  we  in  Him;  and  one 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  whom  are  all  things,  and  we  by  Him." 

18.  Here  we  have  a  plain  statement  that  there  are  not  two  Lords 

but  how  many?     There  is  one  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

19.  (184)     "What  follows  from  this  personal  union  of  the  two  natures 

in  Christ?"  "Chiefly  this,  that  the  human  nature  of  Christ 
truly  participates  in  the  properties  of  His  divine  nature." 

20.  Christ,  as  God,  has  what  kind  of  attributes?     He   has  divine  at- 

tributes. 

21.  What  are  the  divine  attributes?     God  is  eternal,  almighty,  omni- 

present, omniscient,  holy,  righteous,  merciful  and  truthful. 


LESSON    53.  I'^ld 

22.  But  because  this  person,  Jesus  Christ,  is  at  the  same  time  God 

and  man,  not  only  the  God  Jesus  Christ  has  these  divine 
attributes,  but  also  the  man  Jesus  Christ  has  them.  As 
God,  this  person  had  these  attributes  from  eternity,  but  as 
man,  they  were  given  to  Him  in  the  fulness  of  time.  So  we 
read  of  His  omnipotence.  Mat.  28,  18.  Repeat  the  passage. 
"All  power  is  given  unto  me  in  heaven  and  in  earth." 

23.  All  power  was  not  given  to  Christ  as  God,  because  He  had  all 

power  from  eternity.  But  as  man  He  did  not  have  all  power 
from  eternity.  So  when  the  Savior  says  that  all  power  is 
given  to  Him,  to  which  nature  must  this  refer?  It  must 
refer  to   His  human   nature. 

24.  And  so  it  is  with  all  the  other  divine  attributes.     Read  John  5, 

2(i-27.  "For  as  the  Father  hath  life  in  Himself,  so  hath  He 
given  to  the  Son  to  have  life  in  Himself;  And  hath  given 
Him  authority  to  execute  judgment  also,  because  He  is  the 
Son   of  man." 

25.  This  power  of  having  life  in  Himself  belongs  originally  to  whom? 

To  God  the  Father. 

26.  And    because    God    the    Son   is    the   equal   of   God   the   Father,    it 

also  belongs  to  the  Son.  When  it  is  here  said  that  this 
power  is  given  to  the  Son,  to  which  nature  does  this  refer? 
It  refers  to  His  human  nature. 

27.  This  is  a  great  comfort  to  us.     Our  brother,  Jesus  Christ,  is  al- 

mighty, everywhere  present,  allwise,  in  fact  He  has  been 
given  all  the  divine  attributes.  Tell  me  in  the  words  of  the 
Savior  Himself  (Mat.  18,  20)  that  He,  our  brother,  flesh  of 
our  flesh  and  bone  of  our  bone,  is  everywhere  present  with 
us.  "Where  two  or  three  are  gathered  together  in  my  name, 
there  am  I  in  the  midst  of  them." 

28.  The  same  thing  He  says  in  the  latter  half  of  Matt.  28,  20.     "Lo, 

I  am  with  you  alway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world." 

29.  Tell  me   a   passage   which   says   that   our   brother,   Jesus   Christ, 

has  all  power.  "All  power  is  given  unto  me,  in  heaven  and 
on  earth." 

30.  (185)     "According   to   what   nature   then    is    Christ   our   Savior?" 

"According   to  both   natures." 

31.  Repeat  1  John  3,  8.     "For  this  purpose  the  Son  of  God  was  mani- 

fested, that   He  might  destroy  the  works  of  the  devil." 

32.  Who  is  here  said  to  destroy  the  works  of  the  devil?     The  Son 

of  God. 

33.  Read  the  7th  verse  of  1  John,  chapter  1.     "But  if  we  walk  in  the 

light,  as  He  is  in  the  light,  we  have  fellowship  one  with 
another,  and  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ,  His  Son,  cleanseth 
us  from  all  sin." 

34.  How  are  we  here  said  to  be  cleansed  from  all  sin?     By  the  blood 

of  Jesus  Christ,  God's  Son. 

35.  Yes,   our   Savior  is  true  God,   but  at  the   same  time  He  is   also 

true  man.  What  is  written  of  Him,  Gen.  3,  15?  "I  will  put 
enmity  between  thee  and  the  woman,  between  thy  seed  and 
her  seed;  it  shall  bruise  thy  head,  and  thou  shalt  bruise 
his  heel." 

36.  Here  the  Savior  is  called  the  seed  of  the  woman,  that  is,  a  human 

being.  He  is  our  Savior,  then,  not  only  as  God,  but  also  as 
what?    Also  as  man. 


180  LESSON    53. 

37.  Repeat  Luke  9.  56.    "The  Son  of  man  is  not  come  to  destroy  men's 

lives,  but  to  save  them." 

38.  What  is  the  Savior  here  called?     He  is  called  the  Son  of  Man. 

39.  The   same  is  stated  in  a  passage  which  we  learned  in  the  last 

lesson,  1st  Tim.  2,  5-6.  Repeat  it.  "For  there  is  one  God, 
and  one  mediator  between  God  and  men,  the  man  Christ 
Jesus,  who  gave  Himself  a  ransom  for  all,  to  be  testified 
in  due  time." 

40.  That  Christ  is  our  Savior,  not  only  according  to  His  divine  but 

also  according  to  His  human  nature,  is  plainly  taught  in 
Heb.  2,  14.  Read  the  passage.  "Forasmuch  then  as  the 
children  are  partakers  of  flesh  and  blood,  He  also  Himself 
likewise  took  part  of  the  same;  that  through  death  He 
might  destroy  Him  that  had  the  power  of  death,  that  is,  the 
devil." 

41.  And  again,  Heb.  4,   15.     "For  we   have   not  a   high   priest  which 

cannot  be  touched  with  the  feeling  of  our  infirmities;  but 
was  in  all  points  tempted  like  as  we  are,  yet  without  sin." 

42.  Christ  is  our  Savior,  not  only  as  God,  but  also  as  man,  and  not 

only  as  man.  but  also  as  God.  Hence  according  to  which 
nature  is  He  our  Savior?     According  to  both  natures. 

43.  (186)     "Why  was  it  necessary  that  Christ  should  be   both,  true 

God  and  man?"  "True  man  He  must  be,  that  He  might  put 
Himself  under  the  law,  suffer  and  die  for  mankind;  true  God 
He  must  be,  that  He  by  such  obedience  could  merit  for  us 
forgiveness  of  sin,  life  and  salvation." 

44.  Why  must  the   Savior  be  true  man  in  order  to  save  us?     That 

He  might  put  himself  under  the  law,  suffer  and  die  for 
mankind. 

45.  To  what  kind  of  beings  did  God  give  the  law?     God  gave  the  law 

to   human    beings. 

46.  Then  if  Christ  wanted  to  take  our  place  and  do  what  the  law 

required  of  us  human  beings,  what  kind  of  a  being  must  He 
be?     He  must  be  a  human  being. 

47.  What    is    the    punishment    and    result    of    sin?      The    punishment 

and  resujt  of  sin  is  suffering  and  death. 

48.  If  Christ  wanted  to  take  upon  Himself  the  results  and  punish- 

ment of  sin,  what  was  it  necessary  for  Him  to  do?  It  was 
necessary  for  Him  to  suffer  and  die. 

49.  Can  God  suffer  and  die?     No,   He  cannot. 

50..     Can  human  beings  suffer  and  die?     Yes,  they  can. 

51.  Therefore  if  Christ  wanted  to  suffer  and  die  for  us,  what  must 

He  become?     He  must  become  a  human  being,  a  man. 

52.  Now  tell  me  from  our  answer.  No.  186,  why  was  it  necessary  to 

our  salvation  for  Christ  to  be  true  God?  True  God  He  must 
be,  that  He  by  such  obedience  could  merit  for  us  forgive- 
ness of  sin,  life  and  salvation. 

53.  Repeat   Ps.    49,    7-8.      "None   of   them    can    by   any    means    redeem 

his  brother,  nor  give  to  God  a  ransom  for  Him:  (For  the 
redemption  of  their  soul  is  precious,  and  it  ceaseth  for 
ever:)" 

54.  No  mere  man  could   redeem   Himself,   much  less  whom?      Much 

less   His  brother. 


LESSON    54.  181 

65.  If  Christ  had  been  a  mere  man,  He  could  only  have  fulfilled  the 
law  for  Himself.  His  sufferings  and  death  would  not  have 
been  a  sufficient  ransom  for  all  the  sins  of  all  mankind.  But 
Christ,  our  Savior,  is  not  a  mere  man,  He  is  God.  How  do 
we  know  that  He  can  fulfill  the  law  for  us?  Because  He  is 
God   and   can   do  all   things. 

50.  Read  Rom.  8,  :!-4.  "For  what  the  law  could  not  do,  in  that  it  was 
weak  through  the  flesh,  God  sending  His  own  Son  in  the 
likeness  of  sinful  flesh,  and  for  sin  condemned  sin  in  the 
flesh:  That  the  righteousness  of  the  law  might  be  fulfilled 
in  us,  who  walk  not  after  the  flesh,  but  after  the  Spirit." 

57.  How  do  we  know  that  the  sufferings  and  death  of  Christ  are  a 

sufficient  ransom  for  the  sins  of  all  mankind?  Because  He 
is  true  God, 

58.  Children,   let   us   hold   fast   this    precious   truth,   that  our   Savior, 

Jesus  Christ,  is  both  God  and  man.  Being  convinced  of  this 
truth,  which  other  truth  follows?  That  both  as  God  and  man 
He  is  our  Savior. 


II.    OF  THE  OFFICE  OF  CHRIST 


LESSON    54.     CHRIST,    OUR    PROPHET. 

(Question  187-189.) 

1.  Who  is  .lesus   Christ?      He   is  true   God,   begotten   of  the   Father 

from  eternity,  and  also  true  man,  born  of  the  Virgin  Mary, 
my   Lord. 

2.  By   what  two  names  is  the  Savior  usually  called?     He   is  called 

Jesus   Christ. 

3.  What  does  the  name  Jesus  mean?    Jesus  means  Savior. 

4.  What  does  the  name   Christ  mean?  Christ   means   The   anointed 

One. 

5.  For  what  purpose  was  Christ  anointed  with  the  Holy  Ghost?     He 
was  anointed  with  the  Holy  Ghost  to  be  our  Prophet,  High  Priest  and 

King. 

6.  So  what  do  the  names  of  the  Savior  tell  us  about  Him?     They 

tell   us  what   He   is,  or  what  He  does. 

7.  (187)     Yes.  they  tell  us  His  work,  or  office.     "What  is  the  office 

of  Christ?"  "Christ's  office  is  that  He,  as  the  one  Mediator  be- 
tween God  and  men,  saves  us  from  our  sins." 

8.  What  is  Christ  called  in  this  answer?     He  is  called  a  mediator. 

9.  A  mediator  is  a  peacemaker.     When  the  Children  of  Israel  wor- 

shipped the  golden  calf  at  Mt.  Sinai,  God  was  angry  with 
them  and  threatened  to  destroy  them.  Who  was  it  that 
interceded  and  prayed  for  the  people?  Exodus  32,  7-14. 
Moses  prayed  for  the  people. 

10.  Yes,    Moses    was    the    mediator    between    God    and    the    people. 

What  kind  of  relation  exists  between  two  persons  when 
they  need  a  mediator?     There   is  enmity   between   them. 

11.  So   there  is   enmity   between   God   and   men.     What  caused    this 

enmity?     Sin  caused  this  enmity. 


182  LESSON    54. 

12.  Yes,    God   hates   sin,    and   because   of   his   sinfulness,   man   hates 

God.  Now  who  steps  in  as  mediatoi-  to  make  peace  between 
God  and  men?     Jesus  Christ,  our  Savior. 

13.  How    many    such   mediators    between    God    and   men    are    there? 

There   is  only  one  such   mediator. 

14.  Tell  me   this   with   a   scripture   passage   that  you   learned   under 

question  No.  181.  1  Tim.  2,  5-6.  "There  is  one  God,  and 
one  Mediator  between  God  and  men,  the  man  Christ  Jesus, 
who  gave  Himself  a  ransom  for  all,  to  be  testified  in  due 
time." 

15.  Repeat  also  Acts  4,  12.     "Neither  is  there  salvation  in  any  other; 

for  there  is  none  other  name  under  heaven  given  among 
men,  whereby  we  must  be  saved." 

16.  Tell  me  from  our  question  No.  187,  what  does  the  Savior  do  as 

the  one  mediator  between  God  and  men?  He  saves  us  from 
our  sin. 

17.  What  do  we  call  Him  because  He  saves  us?    We  call  Him  Savior. 

18.  Repeat  Mat.  1,  21.     "She  shall   bring  forth   a  son,  and  thou  shalt 

call  His  name  JESUS,  for  He  shall  save  His  people  from 
their  sins." 

19.  Read  also  what  is  written  of  Jesus,  Heb.  12,  24.     "And  to  Jesus, 

the  mediator  of  the  new  covenant,  and  to  the  blood  of 
sprinkling  that  speaketh   better  things  than  that  of  Abel." 

20.  Also  Heb.  8,  6.     "Now  hath  He  obtained  a  more  excellent  ministry, 

by  how  much  also  He  is  the  mediator  of  a  better  covenant, 
which   was  established   upon   better  promises." 

21.  And  also  Heb.  9,  15.     "For  this  cause   He   is  the   mediator  of  the 

new  testament,  that  by  means  of  death,  for  the  redemption 
of  the  transgressions  that  were  under  the  first  testament, 
they  which  are  called  might  receive  the  promise  of  eternal 
inheritance." 

22.  What   is    Christ    called   in   all    these   passages?      He    is   called    a 

mediator. 

23.  (188)     "What   three  official  names   are  applied   to  Him   in   Holy 

Scripture  to  describe  more  fully  this.  His  office  and  work?" 
"He  i§  called  our  Prophet,  High   Priest  and   King." 

24.  As  Savior,  Jesus  stands  in  a  threefold  relation  to  us.     What  is 

He  first?     He  is  our  Prophet. 

25.  What  is  the  second  relation?     He  is  our  High  Priest. 

26.  What  is  the  third  relation?     He  is  our  King. 

27.  Who  was  the  greatest  prophet  of  the  Old  Testament?     iVIoses. 

28.  What   does    Moses    say   in   Deut.    18,    15?     "The    Lord,    thy    God, 

will  raise  up  unto  thee  a  Prophet  from  the  midst  of  thee,  or 
thy  brethren,  like  unto  me;    unto  Him  ye  shall  hearken." 

29.  To  whom  does  Moses  here  refer  as  the  great  Prophet  who  was 

to  come?     He  refers  to  Jesus  Christ. 

30.  This   is   plainly   told   us  in  Acts   3,   22.     "IVIoses  truly   said    unto 

the  fathers,  'A  Prophet  shall  the  Lord  your  God  raise  up 
unto  you  of  your  brethren,  like  unto  me;  Him  shall  ye 
hear  in  all  things  whatsoever  He  shall  say  unto  you.'" 

31.  The  same.  Acts  7,  37.     "This  is  that  Moses,  which  said  unto  the 

children  of  Israel,  'A  Prophet  shall  the  Lord  your  God  raise 
up  unto  you  of  your  brethren,  like  unto  me;  Him  shall  ye 
hear.' " 


LESSON    54.  183 

32.  Read  also  John  1,  45.     "Philip  findetii   Nathanaei,  and  saith  unto 

Him,  'We  have  found  Him,  of  whom  Moses  in  the  law,  and 
the  prophets,  did  write,  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  the  son  of 
Joseph.'  " 

33.  Also   John    6.    14.      "Then    those    men,    when    they    had    seen    the 

miracle,  that  Jesus  did,  said,  'This  is  of  a  truth,  that  Prophet, 
that  should   come  into  the  world.'" 

34.  Jesus,   however,   is   not  only  our  Prophet,  but  what  else  is   He? 

He  is  our  High  Priest. 

35.  Let  us   see  some  proofs  from   the   Scriptures  for  this  also.     Re- 

peat Heb.  4,  14.  "Seeing  then  that  we  have  a  great  high 
priest,  that  is  passed  into  the  heavens,  Jesus  the  Son  of 
God,  let  us  hold  fast  our  profession." 

36.  Read  also  the  15th  verse  of  this  chapter.     "We  have  not  a  high 

priest  which  cannot  be  touched  with  the  feeling  of  our 
infirmities;  but  was  in  all  points  tempted  like  as  we  are, 
yet  without  sin." 

37.  Also   Heb.    5,    5-6.      "So    also    Christ   glorified    not    Himself   to    be 

made  a  high  priest;  but  he  that  said  unto  Him,  'Thou  art 
my  Son,  to  day  have  I  begotten  thee.'  As  He  saith  also  in 
another  place,  'Thou  art  a  priest  for  ever  after  the  order 
of  Melchisedec'  " 

38.  Also  Heb.  6.  20.     "Whither  the  forerunner  is  for  us  entered,  even 

Jesus,  made  a  high  priest  for  ever  after  the  order  of 
Melchisedec." 

39.  Also  Heb.  7,  17.     "For   He  testifieth,  'Thou  art  a   priest  for  ever 

after  the  order  of  Melchisedec'  " 

40.  In   Ps.   110,    4,   we   have   a   very   plain   prophecy   concerning   the 

Savior.  Read  it.  "The  Lord  hath  sworn,  and  will  not  re- 
pent, 'Thou  art  a  priest  for  ever  after  the  order  of  Mel- 
chizedek.'  " 

41.  What  other  office  has  Jesus  besides  being  our  Prophet  and  High 

priest?     He   is  also  our  King. 

42.  Let  us  see  the  proofs  for  this  also.     Repeat  Jer.  23,  5.    "  'Behold 

the  day  come,'  saith  the  Lord,  'that  I  will  raise  unto  David 
a  righteous  Branch,  and  a  King  shall  reign  and  prosper, 
and  shall  execute  judgment  and  justice  in  the  earth.'" 

43.  The   whole   second   Psalm   is   a   prophecy   concerning  the   kingly 

office.  Read  especially  the  6th  verse.  "Yet  have  I  set  my 
King   upon   my  holy   hill   of  Zion." 

44.  Read  also  Ps.  24,  7-10,  and  tell  me  what  is  the  Savior  here  called? 

He  is  called  the  King  of  Glory. 

45.  In  John  18,  36-37,  when  Jesus  stood  before  Pontius  Pilate,  what 

did  he  confess  Himself  to  be?  He  confessed  Himself  to  be 
a  king. 

46.  What  is  written  of  the  Savior,  Luke  1,  33?     "He  shall  reign  over 

the  house  of  Jacob  for  ever;  and  of  His  kingdom  there  shall 
be  no  end." 

47.  (189)      "Why  is  He  called  our  Prophet?"  "Because   He   reveals  to 

us  the  will  of  His  heavenly  Father  and  teaches  us  the  way 
unto  salvation." 

48.  What  j§  a  prophet?     One  who  foretells  things  to  come. 


184  LESSON    54. 

49.  The  prophets  in  the  Old   Testament  were  men  sent   by   God   to 

reveal  to  the  people  His  will  and  to  foretell  His  judgments. 
They  were  really  teachers.  So  when  we  say  that  Christ  is 
our  Prophet,  what  do  we  mean  by  this  name?  We  mean 
that  Christ  is  our  teacher. 

50.  What  does  He   reveal  to  us?     He   reveals  to   us  the  will   of   His 

heavenly  Father. 

51.  So  we  read  of  the  Savior  in  Deut.  18,  18-19.     "I  will   raise  them 

up  a  Prophet  from  among  their  brethren,  like  unto  thee, 
and  will  put  my  words  in  His  mouth;  and  He  shall  speak 
unto  them  all  that  I  shall  command  Him.  And  it  shall  come 
to  pass  that  whosoever  will  not  hearken  unto  my  words 
which   He  shall  speak  in  my  name,   I  will   require  it  of  him." 

52.  Repeat  John   1.   18.     "No    man   hath   seen   God  at  any   time;     the 

only  begotten  Son,  which  is  in  the  bosom  of  the  Father, 
He   hath   declared    Him." 

53.  God  is  invisible,  but  God  sent  us  some  one  who  is  with  God,  who 

sees  and  knows  Him  to  reveal  to  us  all  that  we  should  know 
concerning  Him.     Who  is  this?     It  is  Jesus  Christ. 

54.  Read  Luke  10,  22.     "All  things  are  delivered  to  me  of  my  Father; 

and  no  man  knoweth  who  the  Son  is,  but  the  Father;  and 
who  the  Father  is,  but  the  Son,  and  He  to  whom  the  Son 
will    reveal    Him." 

55.  Read  also  .John  6.  46.     "Not  that  any  man   hath  seen  the  Father, 

save  He  which  is  of  God,  He  hath  seen  the  Father." 

56.  God  the  Father  Himself  declares  that  all  men  should  hear  Jesus 

Christ.  Read  what  God  says  Mat.  17,  5.  "While  He  yet 
spake,  behold  a  bright  cloud  overshadowed  them;  and  be- 
hold a  voice  out  of  the  cloud,  which  said,  'This  is  my  be- 
loved Son,  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased;    hear  ye  Him.'" 

57.  Yes.  Jesus  is  the  great  teacher.     What  does  He  teach  us?     He 

teaches  us  the  way  of  salvation. 

58.  What  occupation  did  Jesus  follow  when  He  walked  visibly  upon 

earth?     He  was  a  teacher,  or  preacher. 

59.  So  we  read  Mat.  4,  23.     "Jesus  went  about  all  Galilee,  teaching  in 

their  synagogues,  and  preaching  the  gospel  of  the  kingdom, 
and  healing  ail  manner  of  sickness  and  all  manner  of  disease 
among  the  people." 

60.  Read  also  Mark  1,  14-15.     "Now  after  that  John  was  put  in  prison, 

Jesus  came  into  Galilee,  preaching  the  gospel  of  the  king- 
dom of  God,  and  saying,  'The  time  is  fulfilled,  and  the  king- 
dom of  God  is  at  hand:    repent  ye,  and  believe  the  gospel.'" 

61.  How   old   was   Jesus   when   He  began   His   public   ministry?      He 

was  thirty  years  old. 

62.  How  old  was  He  when  He  died?     He  was  thirty-three  years  old. 

63.  How  long  then  did  He  teach  personally  on   earth?     Only  three 

years. 

64.  Yes,   but  the   influence   of  this   teaching  will   be   felt  to  the  end 

of  the  world.  Where  have  we  a  record  of  His  teaching? 
In   the   Bible. 


LESSOiNf    55. 


185 


G5  So  the  Savior  is  still  our  teacher.  What  provision  did  Jesus 
make  that  this  teaching  might  go  on  in  His  name,  even 
after  He  is  no  more  visible  on  earth?  He  appointed  men  to 
preacii  in   His  name. 

66.  Who  are  these  men?     The  ministers  of  the  Gospel. 

67.  Read  the  command  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  Mark  16,  15-16.     "And  He 

said  unto  them,  'Go  ye  into  ail  the  world,  and  preach  the 
gospel  to  every  creature.  He  that  believeth  and  is  baptized 
shall  be  saved;    but  he  that  believeth  not  shall  be  damned.'" 

68.  Now   let   us   see  from  the   20th  verse  of  this  chapter,   how  the 

apostles  carried  out  this  command  of  the  Savior.  "They 
went  forth,  and  preached  everywhere,  the  Lord  working  with 
them,  and  confirming  the  word  with  signs  following." 

69.  Read  also  Luke  10,  16.     "He  that  heareth  you  heareth  me;     and 

he  that  despiseth  you  despiseth  me;  and  he  that  despiseth 
me  despiseth  Him  that  sent  me." 

70.  Let  us  thank  God  that  Jesus  is  still  our  teacher;    that  from  Him 

we  may  learn  the  way  of  salvation.  How  should  we  regard 
the  teaching  and  preaching  of  faithful  ministers  of  the  Gos- 
pel?   As  binding  as  that  of  the  Savior  Himself. 


LESSON    55.     CHRIST,    OUR    HIGH    PRIEST. 

(Question   190.) 

1.  In     our    last    lesson    we    learned    about    the    office    of     Christ. 

What  is  the  office  of  Christ?      He   is  the  one   mediator   be- 
tween God  and  men. 

2.  What  does  He  do  as  our  mediator?     He  saves  us  from  our  sins. 
?..     How  manifold  is  the  office  of  Christ?     Christ's  office  is  threefold. 

4.  Mention    the   three    relations    in    which    Christ    is   our   mediator. 

He  is  our  Prophet,  High  Priest  and  King. 

5.  W^hat  do  we  mean  by  saying  that  Christ  is  our  Prophet?     He  is 

our  teacher. 

6.  What  does  He  teach  us?     He  teaches  us  the  way  of  salvation. 

7.  But  Christ  is  not  only  our  Prophet;     what  other  office  does  He 

fill  as  mediator?     He  is  also  our  High  Priest. 

8.  (190)     "Why  is  He  called  our  high  priest?"    "Because  He  fulfilled 

the  law  for  us,  and  gave  Himself  as  a  sacrifice  for  our  sins, 
and   now   intercedes  for  us  before   His  Father." 

9.  The  high  priest  of  the  Old  Testament  was  a  representative  per- 

son. He  stood  before  God  in  the  name  of  all  the  people  of 
Israel.  Who  was  the  first  high  priest  in  Israel?  Aaron  was 
the  first  high  priest. 
10.  Aaron  and  all  his  successors  were  types  and  figures  of  Christ. 
He  is  the  true  High  Priest  of  all  mankind.  He  is  just  the 
kind  of  high  priest  we  poor  sinners  need  to  represent  us 
before  God,  as  we  read  Heb.  7.  26-27.  "Such  a  high  priest 
became  us,  who  is  holy,  harmless,  undefiled,  separate  from 
sinners,  and  made  higher  than  the  heavens.  Who  needeth 
not  daily,  as  those  high  priests,  to  offer  up  sacrifice,  first 
for  His  own  sins,  and  then  for  the  people's,  for  this  He  did 
once,  when    He  offered   up   Himself." 


186  LESSON    55. 

11.  Tell  me  from  question  No.  190  in  what  respect  Christ  took  ouf 

places  before  God  first  of  all.     He  fulfilled  the  law  for  us, 

12.  What  kind  of  life  did  the  Savior  live?     A  sinless,  perfect  life. 

13.  Read  Heb.  4,  15.     "We  have  not  a  high   priest  which  cannot  be 

touched  with  the  feeling  of  our  infirmities;  but  was  in  all 
points  tempted  like  as  we  are,  yet  without  sin." 

14.  Repeat  Gal., 4,  4-5.     "When  the  fulness  of  the  time  was  come,  God 

sent  forth  His  Son,  made  of  a  woman,  made  under  the  law, 
to  redeem  them  that  were  under  the  law,  that  we  might 
receive  the  adoption  of  sons." 

15.  The  apostle  here  says  Christ  was  made,  or  put,  under  the  law; 

that  is,  He  took  our  place  under  the  law.  He  fulfilled  every- 
thing that  the  law  required  of  us.  So  He  Himself  says. 
Mat.  5,  17.  "Think  not  that  I  come  to  destroy  the  law,  or 
the  prophets:    I  am  not  come  to  destroy,  but  to  fulfill." 

16.  So  the  Apostle  Paul  writes  to  the  Romans,  chapter  5,  verse  19. 

"As  by  one  man's  disobedience  many  were  made  sinners,  so 
by  the  obedience  of  one  shall  many  be  made  righteous." 

17.  Christ,  as  God,  was  not  under,  but  above,  the  law.     For  Himself 

He  had  no  need  to  come  into  the  world  and  render  obedience 
to  commandments  made  for  us.  For  whom,  however,  did 
He  do  this?     He  did  it  for  us, 

18.  Whose  representative  was  He  in  His  perfect  obedience  of  God's 

law?     He  was  our  representative, 

19.  Read  Rom.  10,  4.     "Christ  is  the  end  of  the  law  for  righteousness 

to  every  one  that  believeth," 

20.  But  what  else  does  Christ  do  as  our  High  Priest  besides  fulfilling 

the  law?     He  gave  Himself  as  a  sacrifice  for  our  sins, 

21.  What  was  the  principal  work  of  the  priests  in  the  Old  Testament? 

They  offered  sacrifice, 

22.  What  did  they  offer  as  sacrifice?     They  offered  animals,  such  as 

lambs,  floves,   kids  and   cattle, 

23.  When    an    Israelite    had    sinned,    he    brought    an    animal    to    the 

priest  to  be  killed  and  burned  as  a  sacrifice.  He  offered, 
as  it  were,  another  life  for  his  own,  which  he  had  forfeited 
by  his  sin.  Read  Heb.  9.  22.  "Almost  all  things  are  by 
the  law  purged  with  blood;  and  without  shedding  of  blood 
is   no   remission," 

24.  But  the  sacrifice  of  animals  was  only  a  figure  of  the  great  sac- 

rifice which  Christ  brought  for  the  sins  of  the  world.  What 
was  this  sacrifice?  Christ  gave  Himself  as  a  sacrifice  for 
our  sins, 

25.  How  did  He  do  this?     By  suffering  and  dying  for  us, 

26.  In  what  words  does  Luther's  explanation  of  the  Second  Article 

of  the  Creed  say  this?  Christ  "has  redeemed  me,  a  lost  and 
condemned  creature,  purchased  and  won  me  from  all  sins, 
for  death  and  from  the  power  of  the  devil,  not  with  gold  or 
silver,  but  with  His  holy  precious  blood,  and  with  His  inno- 
cent sufferings  and  death," 


LESSON    55.  187 

27.  Now   let  us  see   how  plainly  the   Scriptures   teach   this   precious 

doctrine  that  Christ  suffered  and  died  for  our  sins.  Repeat 
Is.  53,  4-5.  "Surely  He  hath  borne  our  griefs,  and  carried 
our  sorrows:  yet  we  did  esteem  Him,  stricken,  smitten  of 
God,  and  afflicted.  But  He  was  wounded  for  our  transgres- 
sions. He  was  bruised  for  our  iniquities:  the  chastisement 
of  our  peace  was  upon  Him;  and  with  His  stripes  we  are 
healed." 

28.  This  is  a  prophecy  concerning  the  Savior  and  foretells  that  the 

Messiah  should  suffer.  Whose  griefs  and  sorrows  should 
He  carry?     He  should  bear  our  griefs  and  carry  our  sorrows. 

29.  Why   should   He   be   wounded?      He   should    be   wounded   for   our 

transgressions;      He   should    be    bruised    for   our   iniquities. 

30.  Read   also   Phil.    2,    8.      "Being    found    In    fashion    as   a    man.    He 

humbled  Himself,  and  became  obedient  unto  death,  even  the 
death   of  the  cross." 

31.  Christ   came    to   redeem    us    from    the    curse   of   the   law.     What 

was  the  curse  of  the  law,  which  we  had  transgressed  by 
sin?    The  curse  of  the  law  is  death. 

32.  Read   Gal.   3,   13.     "Christ   hath    redeemed   us  from   the   curse    of 

the  law,  being  made  a  curse  for  us:  for  it  is  written,  'Cursed 
is  every  one  that   hangeth  on  a  tree.'  " 

33.  Now  repeat  1   Pet.  2,  24.     "Who   His   own   self   bare  our  sins   in 

His  own  body  on  the  tree,  that  we,  being  dead  to  sins, 
should  live  unto  righteousness:  by  whose  stripes  ye  were 
healed." 

34.  Christ  was  hanged  on  a  tree — on  the  cross.    He  died  the  painful, 

shameful  death  of  the  cross;  but  did  He  die  for  His  own 
sins?    No,  He  had  no  sins. 

35.  Then  whose  sins   did  He  bear  on  the   tree;     for  whose  sins  did 

He  die?     He  bore  our  sins;     He  died  for  us. 

36.  What  did  John  the  Baptist  say  of  the  Savior,  when  he  pointed 

Him  out  to  his  disciples?  John  1,  29.  "The  next  day  John 
seeth  Jesus  coming  unto  him,  and  saith,  'Behold  the  Lamb 
of  God,  which  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world.'  " 

37.  What  was  the  principal  animal  that  was  offered  as  sacrifice  in 

the  Old  Testament?     It  was  a  lamb. 

38.  What  was  the  sacrifice  that  was  offered  at  the  passover  feast? 

The  paschal  lamb. 

39.  Whom  did  all  these  lambs  represent?     They  represented  Christ, 

the  true  Lamb  of  God. 

40.  So   the   Savior  was   not  only  the  true   High   Priest,   but   at   the 

same  time  the  true  sacrifice.  And  whose  sins  does  He,  as 
the  Lamb  of  God,  take  away?  He  takes  away  the  sins  of 
the  world. 

41.  We  have  now  seen  two  things  that  Christ  did  as  our  High  Priest. 

What  is  the  first?     He  fulfilled  the   law  for  us. 

42.  What  is  the  second?     He  gave  Himself  as  a  sacrifice  for  our  sins. 

43.  This  is  what  Christ,  our  High  Priest,  has  done  for  us.     But  there 

is  something  which  He  does  for  us  now.  What  is  it?  He 
now  intercedes  for  us  before  His  Father. 

44.  The  priests  of  the  Old  Testament  not  only  offered   sacrifice  for 

the  people,  but  what  else  did  Ihey  do?  They  prayed  for 
the  people, 


188  LESSON    56. 

45.  The  high  priest  of  the  Old  Testament  wore  a  shield  on  his  breast 

in  which  were  set  twelve  precious  stones,  and  on  each 
stone  was  engraven  the  name  of  one  of  the  twelve  tribes  of 
Israel.  So  our  great  High  Priest,  Jesus  Christ,  bears  on  His 
heart  the  whole  people  of  God  and  makes  intercession  for 
them.  Repeat  1  John  .2,  1-2.  "If  any  rnan  sin,  we  have  an 
advocate  with  the  Father,  Jesus  Christ  the  righteous:  and 
He  is  the  propitiation  for  our  sins:  and  not  for  ours  only, 
but  also  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world." 

46.  What  is  Christ  here  called?     He  is  called  our  advocate  with  the 

Father. 

47.  An  advocate  is  an  attorney,  one  who  represents  another  in  court. 

Who  is  our  advocate;  who  pleads  for  us  in  the  court  of 
heaven?     Christ  is  our  advocate. 

48.  Read   Rom.  8.   34.     "Who   is    He   that  condemneth?     It   is  Christ 

that  died,  yea  rather,  that  is  risen  again,  who  is  even  at 
the  right  hand  of  God,  who  also  maketh  intercession  for  us." 

49.  Read    Heb.    7,    23-2.5.      "They    truly    were    many    priests,    because 

they  were  not  suffered  to  continue  by  reason  of  death:  But 
this  man,  because  He  continueth  ever,  hath  an  unchangeable 
priesthood.  Wherefore  He  is  able  also  to  save  them  to  the 
uttermost  that  come  unto  God  by  Him,  seeing  He  ever  liveth 
to    make    intercession    for  them." 

50.  Christ  is  our  only  advocate,  for  all  time.     He  Himself  promised 

this,  as  we  read  John  14,  16.  "I  will  pray  the  Father,  and 
He  shall  give  you  another  Comforter,  that  He  may  abide 
with  you  for  ever." 

51.  In  the   17th   chapter  of  the  Gospel  of  St.  John,  we  have  an  ex- 

ample of  how  Christ  prays  for  His  disciples.  Read  the  9th 
verse  of  this  precious  high  priestly  prayer.  "I  pray  for 
them:  I  pray  not  for  the  world,  but  for  them  which  thou 
hast  given   me;    for  they  are  thine." 

52.  It  is  comforting  to  know  that  the  Savior  then  already  thought  of 

us  also,  and  prayed  for  us,  as  we  see  from  the  20th  verse. 
"Neither  pray  I  for  these  alone,  but  for  them  also  which 
shall  believe  on  me  through  their  word." 

53.  Now  Ave  come  before  God  in  our  prayers  with  all  confidence,  for 

we  have  an  advocate  with  whom  God  is  well  pleased,  and 
for  wfiose  sake  God  will  hear  our  prayers,  as  the  Savior 
says,  John  16,  23.  "Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  whatso- 
ever ye  shall  ask  the  Father  in  my  name,  He  will  give 
it  you." 


LESSON  56.     CHRIST,  OUR  KING. 
(Queston  191.) 

1.  Christ  has  a  threefold  office  as  our  mediator.    Can  you  name  this 

threefold  office  of  Christ?     He  is  our  prophet,  high  priest  and 
king. 

2.  What  does  Christ  do  as  our  prophet?     He  teaches  us  the  way  of 

salvation. 
?      What  did  He  do  as  our  high  priest?     He  fulfilled  the  law  for  us, 

and   offered    Himself  as  a  sacrifice  for  our  sins. 
^.     What  does  He  still  do  as  our  hJgh  priest?     He  prays  to  God,  or 

makes   intercession,  for  us. 


LESSON    56.  189 

5.  What  else  is  Christ,  besides  our  prophet  and  high  priest?     He  is 

also  our  king. 

6.  (191)      "Why  is  He  called  our  king?"     "Because  He  rules  over  all 

creatures,  protects  and  governs  His  Church,  and  forever 
lives  and  triumphs  with   His  saints   in   heaven." 

7.  Look  at  this  answer  carefully  and  tell  me  how  many  parts  has  it? 

It  has  three  parts. 

8.  What  is  the  first  thing  that  Christ  does  as  our  king?     He   rules 

over   all   creatures. 

9.  What  is  the  business  of  a  king?     A  king's  business  is  to  rule. 

10.  Repeat  .John  18,  37.     "Pilate  therefore  said  unto  Him,  'Art  thou  a 

king  then?'.  Jesus  answered,  'Thou  sayest  that  I  am  a  kmg 
To  this  end  was  I  born,  and  for  this  cause  came  1  into  the 
world,  that  I  should  bear  witness  unto  the  truth.  Every  one 
that   is  of  the   truth   heareth   my   voice'  ". 

11.  What  does  the  Savior  here  confess  Himself  to  be?     He  confesses 

Himself  to  be  a  king. 

12.  Over  what  does  Christ  rule  as  king?     Over  all  creatures. 

13.  Repeat  1  Cor.  15,  27.     "He  hath   put  all   things  under   His  feet." 

14.  The   Savior  Himself  says   that  He  has   all   power.     Repeat  Mat. 

28,  18.  "Jesus  came  and  spake  unto  them,  saying,  'All  power 
is  given   unto   me   in   heaven   and    in   earth'". 

15  How  did  Jesus  on  one  occasion  show  His  power  even  over  the 
winds  and  waves  of  the  seas?  Mat.  8,  23,  27.  When  He 
was  on  the  sea  with  His  disciples,  and  by  a  mere  word 
quieted   the   storm. 

16.  What  did  the  people  say  of  Him  on  this  occasion?     Mat.  8,   27. 

"The  men  marvelled,  saying,  'What  manner  of  man  is  this, 
that  even  the  winds  and  the  sea  obey  Him!'" 

17.  Read  also  Mat.  14,  25.     "In  the  fourth  watch  of  the  night  Jesus 

went  unto  them  walking  on  the  sea." 

18  So  Jesus  ruled  the  stormy  water  that  it  carried  Him  instead  of 

swallowing  Him  up.  Jesus  rules  not  only  over  all  visible 
creatures,  but  even  the  devils  are  subject  to  Him.  Read 
Mark  1,  23-25.  "There  was  in  their  synagogue  a  man  with  an 
unclean  spirit;  and  He  cried  out,  saying,  'Let  us  alone,  what 
have  we  to  do  with  thee,  thou  Jesus  of  Nazareth?  Art  thou 
come  to  destroy  me?  I  know  thee,  who  thou  art,  the  Holy 
One  of  God.'  And  Jesus  rebuked  him,  saying,  'Hold  thy 
peace,  and  come  out  of  him.'  " 

19  Read  also  Ps.  110,  1-2.     "The  Lord  said  unto  my  Lord,  'Sit  thou 

at  my  right  hand,  until  I  make  thine  enemies  thy  footstool. 
The  Lord  shall  send  the  rod  thy  strength  out  of  Zion:  rule 
thou   in  the   midst  of  thine   enemies.'" 

20.  Over  whom  is  the  Messiah  here  told  to  rule?     He  is  told  to  rule 

even    in  the  midst  of   His  enemies. 

21.  Read  also  what   is  written  of  Him  Ps.  8,  6-8.     "Thou  madest   Him 

to  have  dominion  over  the  works  of  thy  hands;  thou  hast 
put  all  things  under  His  feet:  .All  sheep  and  oxen,  yea,  and 
the   beasts   of   the   fie'd." 


190  LESSON    56. 

22.  Now  read  Dan.  7,  13-14.     "I  saw  in  the  night  visions,  and  behold, 

one  like  the  Son  of  man  came  with  the  clouds  of  heaven, 
and  came  to  the  Ancient  of  days,  and  they  brought  Him 
near  before  him,  and  there  was  given  him  dominion,  and 
glory,  and  a  kingdom,  that  all  people,  nations,  and  languages, 
should  serve  Him:  His  dominion  is  an  everlasting  dominion, 
which  shall  not  pass  away,  and  His  kingdom  that  which 
shall  not  be  destroyed. 

23.  What   a  comfort  this    is   to   know    that    Jesus,    our    brother   and 

Savior,  rules  heaven  and  earth.  What  would  we  say  of  a 
king,  who  exercises  such  power?  We  would  say  He  is  a 
powerful    king. 

24.  And  because  in  this  kingdom  Jesus   rules  with  such  power,  we 

call  it  the  kingdom  of  power.  Over  what  does  Jesus  rule  in 
His  kingdom  of  power?     He  rules  over  all  creatures. 

25.  Read  what  the  apostle  says  of  the  Savior,  Phil.  2,  9-10.     "Where- 

fore God  also  hath  highly  exalted  Him,  and  given  Him  a 
name  which  is  above  every  name:  That  at  the  name  of 
Jesus  every  knee  should  bow,  of  things  in  heaven,  and 
things  in  earth,  and  things   under  the  earth." 

26.  So  we  see  that  the  lirst  part  of  our  answer  to  question  191  refers 

to  what  kingdom  of  Christ?  It  refers  to  the  kingdom  of 
power. 

27.  Now   tell  me  from   our  answer:    what   is   the   second   thing   that 

Christ  does  as  our  king?  "He  protects  and  governs  His 
Church." 

28.  In  His  kingdom  of  power  Christ  rules  with  His  almighty  power. 

All  things  must  obey  Him.  God  rules  and  governs  the  world 
through  Christ.  He,  however,  not  only  rules  and  governs 
the  whole  world  in  general,  but  over  what  does  He  exercise 
a  special  rule?     Over  the  Church. 

29.  And  in  this  spiritual  kingdom  He  does  not  mie  by  His  almighty 

power.  No  one  is  compelled  to  obey  Him.  Before  Pilate, 
Jesus  confessed  what  was  the  object  of  His  coming  into  the 
world.  Tell  me  from  the  passage  you  repeated  a  moment 
ago,  why  did  Jesus  come  into  the  world?  (John  18,  37). 
That   He  should   bear  witness  unto  the  truth. 

30.  And  what  does  Jesus  say  of  those  who  are  of  the  truth?     "Every- 

one that  is  of  the  truth   heareth   my  voice." 

31.  Not  all  men  obey  His  voice  when  they  hear  it  in  the  preaching 

of  the  Gospel.  But  what  do  we  call  those  who  do?  We  call 
them   Christians. 

32.  And  what  do  we  call  the  whole  company  of  believers?     We  call  it 

the  Church. 

33.  Now  the  Church  is  called  the  daughter  of  Zion.     Read  Mat.  21,  5. 

"Tell  ye  the  daughter  of  Zion.  'Behold,  thy  King  cometh  unto 
thee,  meek,  and  sitting  upon  an  ass,  and  a  colt  the  foal  of  an 
ass.'  " 

34.  Jesus  came  as  the  fulfillment  of  the  prophecy,  which  we  find  in 

Jer.  23,  5-6.  Read  it.  "Behold,  the  days  come",  saith  the 
Lord,  "that  I  will  raise  unto  David  a  righteous  Branch  and  a 
King  shall  reign  and  prosper,  and  shall  execute  judgment 
and  justice  in  the  earth.  .In  His  days  Judah  shall  be  saved, 
and  Israel  shall  dwell  safely:  and  this  is  His  name  whereby 
He   shall   be  called,  'THE    LORD   OUR    RIGHTEOUSNESS.'" 


LESSON    56.  191 

35.  Jesus,  as  our  spiritual  king,  has  not  an  outward,  visible  kingdom, 
but  what  does  the  Savior  say,  John  18,  36.  "My  kingdom  is 
not  of  this  world;  if  my  l<ingdom  were  of  tPiis  world,  then 
would  my  servants  fight,  that  I  should  not  be  delivered  to 
the  Jews:  but  now  is  my  kingdom  not  from  hence." 

56.  In  this  liingdom,  Jesus  rules  not  by  power,  but  by  grace.  Men 
obey  Him,  not  because  they  must,  but  why?  Because  they 
take  pleasure   in   it. 

37.  Read  2   Cor.   10,  4-5.     "For  the   weapons   of  our  warfare   are   not 

carnal,  but  mighty  through  God  to  the  pulling  down  of  strong 
holds,  casting  down  imaginations  and  every  high  thing  that 
exalteth  itself  against  the  knowledge  of  God,  and  bringing 
into  captivity  every  thought  to  the  obedience  of  Christ." 

38.  We  have  seen  that  the  Savior  suffered  and  died  for  us.     Through 

Him  we  have  the  forgiveness  of  sins  and  the  hope  of  eternal 
life.  How  should  we  show  our  thankfulness  to  Him  for  His 
grace?     We  should  serve  and  obey  Him. 

39.  In  Luther's  explanation  of  the  second  article  of  the  creed,  what 

does  He  say  as  to  the  Savior's  purpose  in  redeeming, 
purchasing  and  winning  us  with  his  holy  precious  blood  and 
His  innocent  sufferings  and  death?  "In  order  that  I  may  be 
His  own  and  live  under  Him  and  His  kingdom  and  serve 
Him." 

40.  What  is  the  kingdom  of  Christ  here  refered  to?     The  Church. 

41.  Because  Jesus  rules  over  all  creatures  by  His  power,  this   first 

kingdom  is  called  the  kingdom  of  power.  Now  because  in 
this  second  kingdom  He  rules  by  His  grace,  what  is  it  called? 
It  is  called  the  kingdom  of  grace. 

42.  Yes,  the  Church  of  Christ  is  His  kingdom  of  grace.     What  does 

Christ  do  with  the  Church  according  to  our  answer.  (No. 
191).     He  protects  and  governs  it. 

43.  Against    whom    does    Christ    protect    His    Church?      Against    the 

devil   and   wicked    men. 

44.  The  devil  and  wicked  men  have  from  the  very  beginning  tried  to 

destroy  the  Church.  But  why  did  they  not  succeed?  Be- 
cause Christ  protects  it. 

45.  What  glorious  promise  did  Christ  give  His  Church,  Mat.  16,  18. 

"I  say  also  unto  thee,  that  thou  art  Peter  and  upon  this 
rock  1  will  build  my  Church;  and  the  gates  of  hell  shall  not 
prevail   against   it." 

46.  Christ,  however,  not  only  protects  the  Church,  but  what  else  does 

He  do?     He  also  governs  it. 

47.  Who  is  the  head  and  ruler  of  the  Church?     Jesus  Christ. 

48.  His  word  is  our  highest  law.     What  does  the   Savior  say,  Mat. 

23,  8?  "One  is  your  master,  even  Christ;  and  all  ye  are 
brethren." 

49.  Now  we  have  spoken  of  a  twofold  kingdom  of  Christ;    His  king- 

dom of  power  and  His  kingdom  of  grace.  There  is  still  an- 
other sense  in  which  Christ  is  our  king.  According  to  our 
answer  No.  191,  what  is  the  last  thing  Christ  does  as  our 
king?  "He  forever  lives  and  triumphs  with  the  saints  in 
heaven." 

50.  Read  Luke  1,  33,  and  see  what  is  there  said  of  the  Savior.     "He 

shall  reign  over  the  house  of  Jacob  for  ever;  and  of  His 
kingdom  there   shall   be   no   end." 


192  LESSON    57. 

51.  All  other  kings  rule  only  for  a  time.     Saul  ruled  for  a  time  and 

was  succeeded  by  David.  David  ruled  for  a  time  and  was 
succeeded  by  Solomon.  But  what  is  said  of  the  Savior's 
kingdom?     Of  His  kingdom  there  shall   be  no  end. 

52.  So  His  kingdom  cannot  be  limited  to  this  life.     He  is  king  not 

only  in  this  world,  but  where?  Also  in  the  world  to  come,  in 
eternity. 

53.  Who  shall  be  in  this  kingdom  of  Christ  in  the  world  to  come? 

The  saints   in   heaven. 

54.  Yes,  and  by  the  saints  we  mean  those  who  have  lived  and  died 

in  the  faith  of  Jesus.  This  is  the  kingdom  which  St.  Paul 
had  in  mind  when  he  wrote  what  we  read  2  Tim.  4,  18. 
"The  Lord  shall  deliver  me  from  every  evil  work,  and  will 
preserve  me  unto  His  heavenly  kingdom." 

55.  From  what  does  the  apostle  hope  to  be  delivered?     From  every 

evil  work. 
5G.  From  sin  and  all  its  dreadful  consequences.  This  will  be  a  glor- 
ious kingdom,  where  we  shall  see  the  Savior  in  all  His  glory 
and  enjoy  the  blessedness  which  He  has  in  store  for  us.  As 
we  read  Mat.  25,  34:  "Then  shall  the  king  say  unto  them 
on  His  right  hand,  'Come,  ye  blessed  of  my  Father,  inherit 
the  kingdom  prepared  for  you  from  the  foundation  of  the 
world.'  " 

57.  Because  of  the  glory  which   shall   be   revealed   in   this   heavenly 

kingdom,  what  is  it  called?  It  is  called  the  kingdom  of 
glory. 

58.  Christ  shall  triumph  with   His   saints  over  all   His   enemies.   All 

strife  and  contention  shall  be  at  an  end.  There  will  be  ever- 
lasting peace  and  unspeakable  joy.  This  kingdom  of  Christ 
is  also  sometimes  called  the  Church  Triumphant.  Can  any- 
one tell  me  from  question  No.  191,  why  it  is  so  called?  Be- 
cause in  it  Christ  shall  triumph  with   His  saints. 

59.  Over  what  shall  He  triumph  and  we  with  Him?     Over  the  devil 

and  all  evil. 

60.  Yes,    we   shall   with   the   Savior   in    heaven    celebrate    an    eternal 

victory  over  sin,  death  and  the  devil.  Now  name  the  three- 
fold kingdom  of  the  Savior.  The  kingdom  of  power,  the 
kingdom  of  grace  and  the  kingdom  of  glory. 


THE  TWO  STATES  OF  CHRIST 


THE  STATE  OF  HUMILIATION 
LESSON    57.      WHEREIN    IT    CONSISTS. 

(Question   192-194.) 

1.  Name  the  threefold  office  of  Christ.     Christ  is  our  Prophet,  High 

Priest  and  King. 

2.  What  does  Christ   do  as  our  Prophet?     He  teaches   us  the  way 

of  salvation. 

3.  What  did   He   do   for  us   as   our   High   Priest?     He  fulfilled   the 

law  for  us,  and   gave   Himself  as  a  sacrifice  for  our  sins. 

4.  What  does  He  still  do  for  us  as  our  High  Priest?     He  intercede! 

for  us  before  God. 


LESSON    57.  193 


5.  How  many  kingdoms  has  Christ?     Christ   has  three   kingdoms. 

6.  What    are    these    three    kingdoms    of    Christ?      The    kingdom    of 

power,   the   kingdom    of   grace   and   the    kingdom    of   glory. 

7.  Over  what  does  Christ  rule  in  tlie  kingdom  of  power?     He  rules 

over  all   creatures. 

8.  What  is  Christ's  kingdom  of  grace?     The  Church  on  earth. 

9.  What  is  the  kingdom  of  glory?     The  Church   in   heaven, 

10.  (192)     "Did  Christ  always  exercise  His  office  in  the  same  way?" 

"No,  for  He  did  this  in  two  different  states,  namely,  in  the 
state  of  humiliation  and   in  the  state  of  exaltation." 

11.  The   word   state   here   means   condition.     Christ    was   not  always 

in  the  same  condition  as  mediator.  In  how  many  states,  or 
conditions,  do  the  scriptures  speak  of  the  Savior?  They 
speak  of  two  states. 

12.  What  is  the  first  called?     It  is  called  the  state  of  humiliation. 

13.  And  what  is  the  second  called?     It  is  called  the  state  of  exaltation. 

14.  What  did   Christ  do  in   the  first  state?     The  name  indicates  it. 

Christ  humbled  Himself. 

15.  (193)      "What  is  the  state  of  humiliation?"     "This,  that  Christ  ac- 

cording to  His  human  nature  ordinarily  did  not  use  His 
divine  glory  in  the  days  of  His  flesh,  but  in  the  form  of  a 
servant  became  obedient  to   His  Father  unto  death." 

16.  Of  which   nature   of   Christ   can   it  be   said   that  it   submitted   to 

humiliation?     Of  his  human  nature. 

17.  Yes,  because  Christ  as  God  cannot  be  humbled.     Why  not?     Be- 

cause God   is  unchangeable. 

18.  But  Christ  is  not  only  God,  but  what  else  is  He?     He  is  also  man. 

19.  And   because  the  same  divine  person  is  God  and  man,  not  only 

the  divine,  but  also  the  human  nature  of  Christ,  possesses 
divine  attributes.  The  man  Christ  .Tesus  is  almighty,  om- 
nipresent, omniscient,  etc.  Our  brother,  Jesus  Christ,  pos- 
sesses divine  glory.  But  what  does  our  answer  193  say  of 
this  His  divine  glory?  "Christ,  according  to  His  human 
nature,  ordinarily  did  not  use  His  divine  glory." 

20.  When  was  this?     In  the  days  of  His  flesh. 

21.  Yes,    while    He    walked    visibly    among   men.      During    this    time 

Christ  did  not  always  use  His  omnipotence,  omniscience  and 
other  divine  attributes.  He  did  use  these  attributes  some- 
times. For  instance,  when  did  He  use  His  omnipotence? 
When  He  healed  the  sick  and  raised  the  dead  and  performed 
other  miracles. 

22.  Read  .John   1,   14.     "The  word   was   made  flesh,   and   dwelt  among 

us,  (and  we  beheld  His  glory,  the  glory  as  of  the  only  be- 
gotten  of  the   Father,)    full   of   grace  and   truth." 

23.  Also  John  2.   11.     "This   beginning  of  miracles  did  Jesus  in   Cana 

of  Galilee,  and  manifested  forth  His  glory;  and  His  disciples 
believed    on    Him." 

24.  On  one  occasion  even  the  outward  appearance  of  Jesus  reflected 

this  divine  glory.  Read  Mat.  17,  1-2.  "After  six  days  Jesus 
taketh  Peter,  James,  and  John,  his  brother,  and  bringeth 
them  up  into  a  high  mountain  apart,  and  was  transfigured 
before  them:  and  His  face  did  shine  as  the  sun,  and  His 
raiment  was  white  as  the  light." 
13 


l94  LEsso^r  ^7. 

25.  But  these  were  exceptions.     Ordinarily  Jesus  did  not  stiow  HiS 

divine  majesty  and  glory,  but,  according  to  our  answer 
No.  193,  he  went  about  in  what  form?  In  the  form  of  a  ser- 
vant. 

26.  And  what  did  He  do?     He  became  obedient  to   His  Father  unto 

death. 

27.  Repeat  Phil.  2,   5-8.     "Let  this   mind    be   in   you,  which   was  also 

in  Christ  Jesus:  who.  being  in  the  form  of  God,  thought  it 
not  robbery  to  be  equal  with  God:  but  made  Himself  of  no 
reputation,  and  took  upon  Him  the  form  of  a  servant,  and 
was  made  in  the  likeness  of  men:  and  being  found  in  fashion 
as  a  man,  He  humbled  Himself  and  became  obedient  unto 
death,  even  the  death  of  the  cross." 

28.  Christ  was  equal  with  God,  but  ordinarily  He  made  no  display 

of  His  divine  majesty  and  glory.  In  what  form  did  He 
choose  to  appear  on,  earth?     In  the  form  of  a  servant. 

29.  When  He  came  to  earth,  he  became  like  what  beings?     He  was 

made  in  the  likeness  of  men. 

30.  Yes,  He  was  just  like  an  ordinary  man,  but  with  what  important 

exception?     He  was  not  a  sinner. 

31.  This    humility    of    Christ    was    not    something    that    was    forced 

upon  Him,  but  what  does  the  apostle  say  of  Him  in  this 
regard?     He   humbled    Himself. 

32.  What  did  He  voluntarily  do,  according  to  the  last  clause  of  this 

passage?  He  became  obedient  unto  death,  even  the  death 
of  the  cross. 

33.  Read    also    Heb.    12,    2.      "Looking    unto    Jesus    the    author    and 

finisher  of  our  faith;  who  for  the  joy  that  was  set  before 
Him  endured  the  cross,  despising  the  shame,  and  is  set 
down   at  the  right   hand   of  the   throne  of  God." 

34.  Read  John   10,   17-18.     "Therefore   doth   my    Father   love   me,   be- 

cause I  lay  down  my  life,  that  I  might  take  it  again.  No 
man  taketh  it  from  me,  but  I  lay  it  down  myself.  I  have 
power  to  lay  it  down,  and  I  have  power  to  take  it  again. 
This  commandment    have    I    received    of    my    Father." 

35.  Also   Luke    2,    51-52.     "He   went    down    with    them,   and    came    to 

Nazareth,  and  was  subject  unto  them:  but  His  mother  kept 
all  these  sayings  in  her  heart.  And  Jesus  increased  in  wis- 
dom and  stature,  and  in  favor  with  God  and   man." 

36.  Jesus  voluntarily   became  not   only   obedient  for  our  sakes,   but 

poor,  as  we  see  from  Mat.  8,  20.  "Jesus  said  unto  him, 
'The  foxes  have  holes,  and  the  birds  of  the  air  have  nests; 
but  the  Son  of  man  hath  not  where  to  lay  His  head.'" 

37.  Read  also  2  Cor.  8,  9.     "For  ye  know  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus 

Christ,  that,  though  He  was  rich,  yet  for  your  sakes  He 
became   poor,  that  ye   through    His   poverty   might   be   rich" 

38.  What  words  of  the  second  article  treat  of  the  state  of  humilia- 

tion? "Conceived  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  born  of  the  Virgin 
Mary,  suffered  under  Pontius  Pilate,  was  crucified,  dead 
and    buried." 

39.  With  what  two  events  then  did  the  humiliation  of  Christ  begin? 

With  His  conception  and  birth. 

40.  With  what  did  it  end?     With   His  death   and  burial. 

41.  By  whom  was  Christ  conceived?     He  was  conceived  by  the  Holy 

Ghost. 


LESSON    58.  195 

42.  Joseph  was  not  His  real  father,  but  because  he  cared  for  Him 

during  the  helplessness  of  infancy  and  childhood,  what  do 
we  call  Joseph?     We  call  Joseph  the  foster-father  of  Christ. 

43.  That  the  Holy  Ghost  is  the  father  of  the  human  nature  of  Jesus 

Christ  is  plain  from  Luke  1,  35.  "The  angel  answered  and 
said  unto  her,  'The  Holy  Ghost  shall  come  upon  thee,  and 
the  power  of  the  Highest  shall  overshadow  thee;  therefore 
also  that  holy  thing  which  shall  be  born  of  thee  shall  be 
called  the   Son   of  God." 

44.  Of  whom  was  Jesus  born?     He  was  born  of  the  Virgin   Mary. 

45.  Where  was  He  born?     He  was  born  in  Bethlehem. 

46.  How  long  ago  is  it  since  Christ  was  born?     1915  years  ago. 

47.  What   day   do   we  celebrate   in   memory   of  the   birth   of   Christ? 

We   celebrate    Christmas    day. 

48.  On   what   day   does    Christmas   come?     Christmas   comes   on    the 

25th  day  of   December. 

49.  From  what  event  do  we  reckon  our  years,  when  we  say:    this  is 

the  year  1915?  We  reckon  our  years  from  the  birth  of 
Christ. 

50.  Yes,  this  is  the  greatest  event  in  all  history,  and  therefore  from 

it  we  count  back  to  the  beginning  of  the  world  and  for- 
ward to  the  endi  of  the  world.  What  does  the  creed  say 
further   of  Jesus?      He   suffered    under    Pontius    Pilate. 

51.  Who  was  Pontius  Pilate?     He  was  the  Roman  governor  at  Jeru- 

salem. 

52.  What  did   Christ  suffer  even   before   He   suffered   under   Pontius 

Pilate?  He  suffered  poverty,  hunger,  thirst  and  insult  from 
His  enemies. 

53.  What  did  He  suffer  under  Pontius  Pilate?     They  took  Him   pris- 

oner, bound  Him,  scourged  Him,  struck  Him,  crowned  Him 
with  thorns  and  spit  upon  Him — all  by  authority  or  per- 
mission of  Pontius   Pilate. 

54.  How  did  His  sufferings  end?     His  sufferings  ended  in  death. 

55.  How  was  He  put  to  death?     He  was  crucified. 

56.  What    kind    of    death    was    crucifixion?      It    was    a    painful    and 

shameful   death. 

57.  What   day   do   we   celebrate    in   memory  of   the   death   of  Jesus? 

We  celebrate  Good  Friday. 

58.  What    was    done    with   the    body    of   Jesus    after   His    death?      It 

was  buried. 

59.  Where  was  it  buried?     Mat.  27,  57-60.     In   a  cave   in  the  garden 

of  Joseph  of  Arimathea. 


LESSON    58.      THE    OBJECT    OF    CHRIST'S    HUMILIATION. 

(Question  195-198.) 

1.  In  lio\v  many  states,  or  conditions,  did  Christ  exercise  His  offlce 

as   mediator?      In   two   states,    the   state    of   humiliation    and 
the   state   of   exaltation. 

2.  What  is  the  first  state  of  Christ?     The  state  of  humiliation. 

3.  What  did  Christ  do  in  order  to  redeem  us?     He  humbled   Himself. 


196  LESSON    58. 

4.  Which   words   of   the    second   article   describe   this    state   of    hu- 

miliation? "Conceived  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  born  of  the 
Virgin  Mary,  suffered  under  Pontius  Pilate,  crucified,  dead 
and  buried." 

5.  Was  the  Savior  forced  into  this  humiliation?     No,  He  submitted 

to   it  willingly. 

6.  (195)     "To    what   end    did    Christ   humble    Himself?"     "That    He 

might  redeem  us  from  all  sins,  from  death,  and  from  the 
power  of  the  devil." 

7.  Christ  did  not  humble  Himself  for  His  own  sake,  but  for  whose 

sake?     For  our  sake. 

8.  Why  did  He  do  it  for  us?    That  He  might  redeem  us. 

9.  To   redeem    means   to   set   free.     From   what   did   Christ   redeem 

us?  He  redeemed  us  from  all  sins,  from  death  and  from 
the  power  of  the  devil. 

10.  Repeat    2    Cor.    8,    9.      "Ye    know    the    grace    of    our    Lord    Jesus 

Christ,  that,  though  He  was  rich,  yet  for  your  sakes  He  be- 
came  poor,   that   ye   through    His   poverty   might  be   rich." 

11.  What  was  His  object   in   becoming   poor?      He   became   poor  for 

our  sakes,  that  through   His  poverty  we  might  be  rich. 

12.  Read    Is.    53,    12.      "Therefore    will    I    divide    Him    a    portion    with 

the  great,  and  He  shall  divide  the  spoil  with  the  strong; 
because  He  hath  poured  out  His  soul  unto  death:  and  He 
was  numbered  with  the  transgressors;  and  He  bare  the 
sin   of   many,   and    made    intercession   for  the   transgressors." 

13.  Repeat  2  Cor.  5,  21.     "He   hath   made   Him  to   be  sin  for  us,  who 

knew  no  sin;  that  we  might  be  made  the  righteousness  of 
God   in    Him." 

14.  Jesus  was  without  sin,  and  yet  He  suffered  as  though  He  were 

the  greatest  sinner.  Why  was  this?  That  we  might  be 
made  the  righteousness  of  God   in   Him. 

15.  He  suffered  and  died  to  pay  the  penalty  for  our  sins,  as  we  read 

Is.  53,  6,  in  the  last  clause.  "The  Lord  hath  laid  on  Him  the 
iniquity  of  us  all." 

16.  The  sanie  is  said  of  the  Messiah  in  the  4th  and   5th  verses  of 

this  chapter.  "Surely  He  hath  borne  our  griefs,  and  carried 
our  sorrows:  yet  we  did  esteem  Him  stricken,  smitten  of 
God,  and  afflicted.  But  He  was  wounded  for  our  trans- 
gressions. He  was  bruised  for  our  iniquities:  the  chastise- 
ment of  our  peace  was  upon  Him;  and  with  His  stripes 
we  are  healed." 

17.  Christ    redeemed    us    not    only    from    sin,    but    from    what    else? 

He  also   redeemed   us  from   death. 

18.  What  is  the  wages,  or  result,  of  sin?     Rom.  6,  23.     "The  wages 

of  sin   is  death." 

19.  What  did  God  say  to  our  first  parents  in  Paradise  with  reference 

to  the  forbidden  fruit?  Gen.  2,  17.  "Of  the  tree  of  the 
knowledge  of  good  and  evil,  thou  shalt  not  eat  of  it:  for 
in   the   day  that  thou   eatest  thereof  thou   shalt  surely  die." 

20.  Christ   died   for   us.     He   bore  the   penalty  of   our   sin,   wliich  is 

the  curse  of  temporal  and  eternal  death.  Repeat  Gal.  3,  13. 
"Christ  hath  redeemed  us  from  the  curse  of  the  law,  being 
made  a  curse  for  us:  for  it  is  written,  'Cursed  is  every  one 
that  hangeth  on  a  tree.'  " 


LESSON     58.  197 

21.  Also  2  Cor.   '>,  14.     "We  thus  judge,  that   if  one  died  for  all  then 

were  all  dead." 

22.  Christ  not  only  redeemed  us  from  sin  and  deatli,  but  from  what 

else?     From  the  power  of  the  devil. 

2'o.     How  did  man  come  under  the  power  of  the  devil?     Through  sin. 

24.  Yes,  when  man  sinned  He  became  the  slave  of  Satan,  and  from 

this  slavery  Christ  has  redeemed  us.  So  we  read  Heb.  2. 
14-1.5.  "Forasmuch  then  as  the  children  are  partakers  of 
flesh  and  blood,  He  also  Himself  likewise  took  part  of  the 
same;  that  through  death  He  might  destroy  him  that  had 
the  power  of  death,  that  is,  the  devil;  and  deliver  them, 
who  through  fear  of  death  were  all  their  lifetime  subject  to 
bondage." 

25.  Read  also  what  is  prophesied  Hosea  l:!,  14.     "I  will  ransom  them 

from  the  power  of  the  grave;  I  will  redeem  them  from 
death:  O  death,  I  will  be  thy  plagues;  O  grave,  I  will  be 
thy   destruction." 

26.  (196)      "Whom    did    Christ    redeem?"      "All    lost    and    condemned 

men,  hence  also  me." 

27.  What  are  men  called  in  this  answer?     They  are  called   lost  and 

condemned. 

28.  When    men    sinned,    from    whom    did    they    stray    away?      They 

strayed  from  God. 

29.  When   a    sheep   strays   from   its   shepherd,    what   becomes   of  it? 

It  is  lost  and  perishes. 

;'.().  Men  are  here  not  only  called  lost,  but  what  else  is  said  of  them? 
They   are  condemned. 

:!1.     When   is   a   criminal   condemned?      When    he    is  found    guilty. 

:!2.     And   what  condemnation  does   the  guilt   of  sin   bring?     It   brings 

death. 
3:;.     So   what   is   the   sad   condition   of   all   men?     They   are    lost  and 

condemned. 
:')4.     And   whom   also   do   you   class   among  such   lost  and   condemned 

men?     I  class  myself  also  among  them. 

;!.5.     Now  what  did   Christ  do  with   these  lost  and   condemned   men? 

He    redeemed   them. 
;;6.     How   many   of  them   did  He   redeem?      He    redeemed   all;     every 

one  of  them. 
;17.     So  we  read  Mat.   18.   11.     Repeat  it.     "The  son   of  man    is  come 

to   save  that  which    is   lost." 

38.  Again  John  1,  29.  "Behold  the  Lamb  of  God,  which  taketh  away 
the  sins  of  the  world." 

;59.  Christ  died  for  and  redeemed  not  a  chosen  few,  but  all  men. 
Read  1  .John  2,  1-2.  "My  little  children,  these  things  write 
I  unto  you,  that  ye  sin  not.  And  if  any  man  sin,  we  have 
an  advocate  with  the  Father,  Jesus  Christ  the  righteous: 
And  He  is  the  propitiation  for  our  sins:  and  not  for  ours 
only,  but  also  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world." 

4(1.  From  1  Tim.  2,  5-6,  we  learn  that  Christ  died  for  all.  Read  the 
passage.  "There  is  one  God,  and  one  mediator  between 
God  and  men,  the  man  Christ  Jesus;  who  gave  Himself  a 
ransom   for   all.   to    be   testified    in    due   time." 


198  LESSON    58. 

41.  And  from  2  Peter,  2,   1  we  learn  that   He  died  even  for  those 

who  will  be  lost  on  account  of  their  persistent  unbelief. 
Repeat  this  passage.  "They  deny  the  Lord  that  bought 
them,    and    bring    upon    themselves    swift   destruction." 

42.  (197)     "Wherewith  did  He  redeem,  purchase^  and  win  you?"  "Not 

with  gold  or  silver,  but  with  His  holy  precious  blood  and 
with   His  innocent  suffering  and  death." 

43.  Gold   and   silver  are   what  kind   of  metals?     They   are    precious 

metals. 

44.  What  are  they  used  for  in  trade?     They  are  used  for  money. 

45.  When  in  the  olden  time  a  slave  was  to  be  set  free,  or  redeemed, 

how  was  this  done?     They  paid  money  for  him. 

46.  Now  the  purchase  money  which  Christ  paid  for  us  was  not  gold 

or  silver,  but  what  was  it?  His  holy  precious  blood,  and  His 
innocent  sufferings  and  death. 

47.  How   did   Christ  purchase,   or   redeem,   us   with   His   blood?      He 

shed    His   blood  for  us. 

48.  Why  is  His  blood  here  called  holy?     Because  He  was  without  sin. 

49.  Repeat  1  Peter  1,  18-19.     "Ye  know  that  ye  were  not  redeemed 

with  corruptible  things,  as  silver  and  gold,  from  your  vain 
conversation,  received  by  tradition  from  your  fathers;  but 
with  the  precious  blood  of  Christ,  as  of  a  lamb  without 
blemish   and   without  spot." 

50.  The  blood  of  Jesus  is  precious  because  He  is  not  only  a  sinless 

man,  but  He  is  God  Himself.  Read  Acts  20,  28.  "Take  heed 
therefore  unto  yourselves,  and  to  all  the  flock,  over  the 
which  the  Holy  Ghost  hath  made  you  overseers,  to  feed 
the  church  of  God,  which  He  hath  purchased  with  His  own 
blood." 
151.  Here  it  is  said  God  hath  purchased  us  with  His  own  blood. 
The  same  we  read  in  1  John  1,  7,  in  the  second  half  of  the 
verse.  "The  blood  of  Jesus  Christ,  His  Son,  cleznseth  us 
from  all  sin." 

52.  Read  also  Rev.  5,  9.     "They  sung  a  new  song,  saying,  'Thou  art 

worthy  to  take  the  book,  and  to  open  the  seals  thereof:  for 
thou  wast  slain,  and  hast  redeemed  us  to  God  by  thy  blood 
out  of  every  kindred,  and  tongue,  and   people,  and   nation.'" 

53.  (198)     "To  what  end  did   He  redeem,   purchase  and  win  you?" 

"That  I  may  be  His  own,  and  live  under  Him  in  His  king- 
dom, and  serve  Him  in  everlasting  righteousness,  innocence 
and   blessedness." 

54.  Since    now    Christ    has    redeemed,    purchased    and    won    you,    to 

whom  do  you  belong?     I  belong  to  Him. 

55.  By  what  right  may  Christ  claim  you  as  His  own?     Because   He 

bought  me  at  the  price  of   His  own   blood. 

56.  But  what  does  our  answer  198  say  besides  saying  that  you  are 

Christ's  own?  I  should  live  under  Him  in  His  kingdom  and 
serve  Him  in  everlasting  righteousness,  innocence  and 
blessedness. 

57.  Under  whom  should  you  live?     I  should  live  under  Christ. 

58.  Yes,  He   is  our   Master  and  only   Lord.     We   should   live  under 

Him  in  His  kingdom.  What  is  the  kingdom  of  Christ? 
The   Church    is   the   kingdom    of   Christ. 

59.  And  who  is  the  head  and  master  of  Ihe  Church?     Jesus  Christ, 


LKssuN   59.  199 

60.     We    should    not   only    live    under    Him,    but    what    else   does    the 
question  referred  to  say?     We  should  serve   Him. 

Gl.     What  does  it  mean  to  serve  Him?     it  means  to  obey  His  word, 
to  do  His  will. 

G2.     And  how  shall  we  serve  Him?     In   everlasting   righteousness,  in- 
nocence and   blessedness. 

63.  Repeat   2    Cor.    5,    15.     "Christ   therefore   died   for  all,   that  they 

which  live  should  not  henceforth  live  unto  themselves,  but 
unto  Him  which  died  for  them,  and  rose  again." 

64.  Read  also  Luke  1,  74-75.     "That   He  would  grant  us  that  we,  be- 

ing delivered  out  of  the  hand  of  our  enemies,  might  serve 
Him  without  fear.  In  holiness  and  righteousness  before 
Him,  all  the  days  of  our  life." 

65.  We  are  to  serve  the  Lord  in  everlasting  innocence  and  blessed- 

ness; that  is,  not  only  here  in  this  world,  but  where?  In 
the  world  to  come;     in   Heaven. 

66.  We    are    to    serve    Him    in    blessedness.      How    only    can    we    be 

truly  blessed,  or  happy?     In    His  service. 


THE  STATE  OF  EXALTATION 


LESSON   59.     THE   DESCENT    INTO    HELL. 

(Question  199-201.) 

We  have  seen  that  Christ  exercises  His  office  as  our  mediator 
in  two  different  states.  What  are  they  called?  The  state 
of  humiliation  and  the  state  of  exaltation. 

Which  state  were  we  considering  in  our  last  lesson?  The  state 
of  humiliation. 

(193)  "According  to  which  nature  did  Christ  humble  Himself?" 
"Christ  humbled  himself  according  to  His  human  nature." 

According  to  His  human  nature  Christ  had  been  given  divine 
power,  majesty  and  glory;  but  generally  He  did  not  make 
use  of  these;  on  the  contrary,  how  did  He  generally  appear 
among  men?     He  appeared   meek  and   lowly. 

But  on  what  occasion  did  He  show  His  divine  power  and  glory? 
When  He  performed  miracles,  and  at  His  transfiguration. 

These  were,  so  to  speak,  exceptions  to  the  rule.  As  a  rule  He 
went  about,  not  as  a  mighty  Lord,  but  how?  As  a  servant, 
poor  and   despised. 

Of  the  things  mentioned  in  the  second  article,  which  belong  to 
the  state  of  humiliation?  "Conceived  by  the  Holy  Ghost, 
born  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  suffered  under  Pontius  Pilate, 
crucified,  dead  and  buried." 

And  all  the  other  items  belong  to  which  state?  They  belong  to 
the  state  of  exaltation. 

(199)  "What  is  the  state  of  exaltation?"  "This,  that  Christ  also 
according    to    His    human    nature    unceasingly    exercises    His 

divine    majesty." 


200  LRSSON    59. 

10.  We   have    seen    that   Christ   humbled    Himself   according   to    His 

human  nature.  Now  tell  me  from  this  answer  to  question 
No.  199,  according  to  which  nature  was  He  exalted?  He  was 
also  exalted  according  to  His  human  nature. 

11.  So   that   both   His   humiliation   and   His   exaltation  must   be   said 

of  which  nature?  They  must  both  be  said  of  His  human 
nature. 

12.  Yes,  because  Christ,  as  God,  is  unchangeable.     The  divine  nature 

of  Christ  can  be  neither  made  lower  nor  higher  than  it  was 
from  all  eternity.  But  even  the  human  nature  of  the  Savior 
was  in  possession  of  what  kind  of  majesty?  It  was  in  posses- 
sion of  divine  majesty. 

13.  During   the   state   of   humiliation   Christ   did    not   fully   and   con- 

stantly make  use  of  this  divine  majesty,  but  now  since 
Christ  is  exalted,  what  does  He  do?  He  unceasingly  exer- 
cises His  divine  majesty. 

14.  Repeat   Phil.   2,   9-11.      "Wherefore    God    also    hath    highly   exalted 

Him,  and  given  Him  a  name  which  is  above  every  name: 
that  at  the  name  of  Jesus  every  knee  should  bow,  of  things 
in  heaven,  and  things  in  earth,  and  things  under  the  earth; 
and  that  every  tongue  should  confess  that  Jesus  Christ  is 
Lord,  to  the  glory  of  God  the  Father." 

15.  Christ  was  not  humbled,  but  humbled  Himself;     what,  however, 

does  the  apostle  here  say  of  His  exaltation.  God  hath 
highly  exalted  Him. 

16.  What  kind  of  name  did  God  give  Him?     A   name  that   is  above 

every   name. 

17.  What  shall  be  done  at  this  name?     At  the  name  of  Jesus  every 

knee  shall  bow  of  things  in  heaven,  and  things  in  earth 
and  things   under  the  earth. 

18.  And  what  shall  every  tongue  confess?     Every  tongue  shall  con- 

fess that  Jesus  Christ  is  Lord,  to  the  glory  of  God  the 
Father. 

19.  Read    also    Luke    24,    26.      "Ought    not    Christ    to    have    suffered 

these   things,   and   to   enter    into    His   glory?" 

20.  Read  alsaHeb.  2,  9.    "We  see  Jesus,  who  was  made  a  little  lower 

than  the  angels  for  the  suffering  of  death,  crowned  with 
glory  and  honour;  that  He  by  the  grace  of  God  should 
taste  death   for  every  man." 

21.  (200)     "What  words   of  the  article   treat   of   the  state  of  exalta- 

tion?" "He  descended  into  hell;  the  third  day  rose  again 
from  the  dead;  He  ascended  into  heaven,  and  sitteth  at  the 
right  hand  of  God  the  Father  Almighty,  from  thence  He 
shall  come  to  judge  the  quick  and  the  dead." 

22.  What  then  was   the   first   step  in   His  exaltation?      He   descended 

into   hell. 

23.  To    which    state    of    Christ    does    His    descent    into    hell    l)elong? 

To   the   state   of   exaltation. 

24.  (201)     "Why  did  He  descend  into  Hell?"     "That  He  might  show 

Himself  to  the  spirits  in  hell  as  their  conqueror  and  mightily 
triumph   over  them." 

25.  Who    are    the    inhabitants    of   hell?      The    devil,    his    angels    and 

wicked  men. 

26.  To   whom    did    Christ   show    Himself   in    hell?      He    showed    Him- 

self to  the  spirits   in   hell. 


MvSSON     59. 


201 


27.  What  object  had  Christ  in  showing  Himself  to  the  spirits  in  hell? 

He  showed  Himself  as  their  conqueror,  and  mightily  tri- 
umphed  over  them. 

28.  How  did  the  devil  hold  power  over  men?     Through  sin. 

29.  And   this   power   was   so   great  that  men   could   never  have   de- 

livered themselves  from  it.  Who  was  it  that  delivered  us 
from  the  power  of  the  devil?  The  Savior  delivered  us 
from   Satan's  power. 

:^0.  How  did  He  do  this?  How  did  He  redeem  us  from  sin,  from 
death  and  from  the  power  of  the  devil?  "Not  with  gold 
or  silver,  but  with  His  holy  precious  blood,  and  His  innocent 
sufferings  and  death." 

:U.  Read  1  John  '.),  8,  the  second  sentence.  "For  this  purpose  the 
Son  of  God  was  manifested,  that  He  might  destroy  the 
works  of  the  devil." 

32.  It  was  a  mighty  struggle  between  Christ  and  Satan.     But  what 

did  Jesus  say  on  the  cross  just  before  He  died?  John  19,  30. 
"When  Jesus  therefore  had  received  the  vinegar.  He  said, 
'It  is  finished:'  and  He  bowed  His  head,  and  gave  up  the 
Ghost." 

33.  What  was  finished  when  Jesus  died?     His  work  was  finished. 

34.  What   was   the   work   that    He   had   come   into   the   world   to   do? 

He  had  come  into  the  world  to  redeem  us;    to  save  us. 

35.  Yes,   and   this   work   He    finished.     Over  whom   did   He   win   the 

victory  when  He  finished  this  work  of  redemption?  He 
won  the  victory  over  Satan. 

36.  When  the  Germans  had  been  victorious  over  the  French  in  the 

Franco-German  war,  they  marched  into  Paris.  What  is  the 
city  of  Paris?     It  is  the  capital  of  France. 

37.  How  did  the   Germans  celebrate  their  victory  over  the  French? 

By   marching    into   their  capital. 

38.  Yes,  this  was  a  triumphant  march.     So  Jesus  held  a  triumphant 

entry  into  the  devil's  capital,  hell.  What  did  He  prove  and 
celebrate  by  His  descent  into  hell?  He  proved  and  cele- 
brated  His  victory  over  the  devil. 

39.  Now  repeat  1  Peter  3,  18-19.     "Christ  also  hath  once  suffered  for 

sins,  the  just  for  the  unjust,  that  He  might  bring  us  to 
God,  being  put  to  death  in  the  flesh,  but  quickened  by  the 
Spirit:  by  which  also  He  went  and  preached  unto  the  spirits 
in   prison." 

40.  Who  are  the  spirits  in   prison  here  referred  to?     The  devil,  his 

angels  and  wicked  men. 

41.  What    did    Christ   do   unto   the   spirits    in    prison?      He    preached 

to   them. 

42.  He    did    not   preach    the    Gospel    to    them.      Hell    knows   no   glad 

tidings.  But  as  their  conqueror,  what  did  He  preach,  or 
declare  to  them?     He  declared   His  victory  over  them. 

43.  Satan  is  a  conquered  enemy;    and  how  does  Satan  know  that  he 

is  conquered?  Christ  showed  Himself  in  hell  as  his  con- 
queror. 

44.  What   is   said   of  the   Savior  Col.   2,   15?     "Having   spoiled   princi- 

palities and  powers.  He  made  a  show  of  them  openly,  tri- 
umphing  over  them    in   it." 


202  LESSON    60. 

45.  Christ's  descent  into  hell  does  not  refer  to  His  burial,  for  that 

is  mentioned  before  in  the  creed.  Neither  does  it  mean 
the  place  of  departed  human  spirits,  as  though  Christ  had 
gone  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  those  who  hcid  died,  thus  giv- 
ing them  another  opportunity  for  repentance.  After  death 
there  is  no  opportunity  given  for  repelitance,  as  we  read 
Heb.  9,  27.  "It  is  appointed  unto  men  once  to  die  and 
after  this  the  judgment." 

46.  Neither  did   Christ  descend   into   hell   to  suffer  the  torments   of 

the  damned.  For  all  His  sufferings  were  ended  when,  on 
the  cross,  He  said,  "It  is  finished."  But  His  descent  into 
hell  had  a  different  object.  Tell  me  again:  why  did  He  de- 
scend into  hell  (201).  "That  He  might  show  Himself  to  the 
spirits  in  hell  as  their  conqueror  and  mightily  triumph 
over  them." 

47.  Because   Christ,   by   His   descent  into   hell,   began  to   show   and 

exercise  His  divine  majesty,  to  which  state  of  Christ  does 
it  belong?     It  belongs  to  the  state  of  exaltation. 

48.  Yes,   it  is   the   first  step   in   this   state   of  exaltation.     He  made 

known  and  celebrated  His  victory  in  hell.  The  devil  suc- 
ceeded in  having  Jesus  put  to  death  and  thought  He  had 
conquered  and  forever  overthrown  the  Savior.  He  now 
thought  that  He  would  forever  hold  undisputed  sway  over 
men.  But  how  was  all  this  changed?  When  Jesus  showed 
Himself  in  hell  as  his  conqueror. 

49.  Yes,  the  very  death  of  Jesus,  which  Satan  gloried  in,  proved  his 

undoing;  for  by  the  death  of  Jesus  all  men  were  redeemed, 
sin  was  atoned  for  and  the  devil's  power  was  overthrown. 
The  death  of  Jesus  was  his  victory,  as  was  prophesied  Hos. 
13,  14.  "I  will  ransom  them  from  the  power  of  the  grave;  I 
will  redeem  them  from  death:  O  death,  I  will  be  thy  plague; 
O  grave,  I  will  be  thy  destruction." 

50.  And  how  did  Jesus  celebrate  His  victory  over  Satan?     By   His 

descent  into  hell. 


LESSON   NO.  60.     THE   RESURRECTION   OF  CHRIST. 

(Question  No.  202). 

1.  In  what  two  states   did   Christ  exercise   His   office  of  mediator? 

In  the  state  of  humiliation  and  in  the  state  of  exaltation. 

2.  What  things  mentioned  in  the  second  article  belong  to  the  state 

of  humiliation?  "Conceived  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  born  of  the 
Virgin   Mary,  was  crucified,  dead  and  buried." 

3.  What  things  belong  to  His  state  of  exaltation?     "He   descended 

into  hell,  the  third  day  rose  again  from  the  dead,  ascended 
into  heaven  and  sitteth  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  the  Father 
Almighty,  from  thence  He  shall  come  to  judge  the  quick  and 
the  dead." 

4.  What  was  the  last  step  in  His  humiliation?     His  death  and  burial. 

6,     Which  ,was  the  first  step  in  His  exaltation?     He  descended   into 
hell. 

6,     To  whom   did  Christ  show  Himself  in  bell?     To   Satan   and  the 
spirits  in  pri§on, 


LESSON   60.  203 

7.  As  what  did  He  show  Himself  to  the  devil  and  his  angels?     He 

showed   Himself  as  their  conqueror. 

8.  What  was  the  next  step  in   His   exaltation?     The  third   day    He 

rose   again   from   the   dead. 

9.  Christ   really   died    on  the   cross,   as   we   see   from   Mat.   27,    50. 

"Jesus,  when   He  had  cried  again  with  a   loud  voice,  yielded 
up  the  ghost." 

10.  Also  Luke  2:),  4G.     "When  Jesus  had  cried  with  a  loud  voice,  He 

said,  'Father,  into  thy  hands  I  commend  my  spirit:'  and  hav- 
ing said  thus.  He  gave  up  the  ghost." 

11.  When  a  man's  spirit,  or  soul,  leaves  the  body,  what  follows?   The 

man  is  dead. 

12.  And  so  Jesus  really  died  and  was  buried  because  He  was  dead. 

On  what  day  of  the  week  did  Jesus  die?     On  Friday. 

13.  What  hour  of   the   day   was   it   when   Jesus   died?     About  three 

o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

14.  Where  was  He  buried?     In  the  new  grave,  which  was  in  the  gar- 

den of  Joseph  of  Arimathea. 

15.  What  did  the  enemies  of  Jesus  place  at  the  grave  of  the  Savior 

to  make  it  secure?  (Mat.  27,  62-66).  They  placed  soldiers 
as  guards. 

16.  But  what  took  place  on  the  third  day  after?   Christ  arose  from  the 

dead. 

17.  On  what  day  of  the  week  did  Christ  arise?     On  the  first  day  of 

the  week. 

18.  What  do  we  call  the  first  day  of  the  week?     We  call  it  Sunday. 

19.  But  what  do  we  call  it  because  on  it  the  Lord  arose?     We  call  it 

the  Lord's  day. 

20.  What  festival    do   we   keep   in   the    church   in   memory   of  Jesus' 

Resurrection?    The  festival  of  Easter. 

21.  At  what   time   of  the   day   did   Christ   arise?     Very   early   in   the 

morning. 

22.  Mary   Magdalene   and    the   other   Mary   came   to   the   grave   very 

early  on  Easter  morning  and  found  the  stone  rolled  away 
from  the  door  of  the  sepulchre.  And  whom  did  they  see 
sitting  on  this  stone?     (Mat.  28,  1-6).     They  saw  an  angel. 

23.  What  did  the  angel  tell  them?     He  told  them  that  the  Lord  had 

arisen. 

24.  And  as  the  women  returned,  whom  did  they  meet?     (Mat.  28,  9- 

10).     They  met  the  Savior  Himself. 

25.  To  whom   did   the   Savior  appear  in  the   afternoon  of  this   day? 

(Luke  24,  l:^^!o).     To  two  disciples  on  their  way  to  the  vil- 
lage of  Emmaus. 
2C).     To  whom  did  the  Savior  appear  on  the  evening  of  this  same  day? 
(Luke  24,  36-43).     He  appeared  to  all  the  apostles. 

27.  And  when  did  He  appear  to  them  a  second  time?     (John  20,  26). 

He  appeared  to  them  a  second  time  a  week  later. 

28.  Read  also  what  St.  Paul  says,   1   Cor.  15,  3-8.     "I   delivered  unto 

you  first  of  all  that  which  I  also  received,  how  that  Christ 
died  for  our  sins  according  to  the  Scriptures,  and  that  He 
was  buried,  and  that  He  rose  again  the  third  day  according 
to  the  Scriptures:  And  that  He  was  seen  of  Cephas,  then  of 
the  twelve:  After  that,  He  was  seen  of  above  five  hundred 
brethren  at  once;  of  whom  the  greater  part  remain  unto  this 
present,  but  some  are  fallen  asleep.  After  that,  He  was  seen 
of  James;  then  of  all  the  apostles.  And  last  of  all  He  was 
seen  of  me  also,  as  of  one  born  out  of  due  time." 


204  LESSON    00. 

29.  We  have  a  whole  host  of  witnesses,  who  testify  to  having  seen 

the  risen  Savior,  and  these  witnesses  are  reliable;  so  what 
may  we  be  sure  of?    That  Jesus  arose  from  the  dead. 

30.  (202)      "Why  did  He  arise  on  the  third  day  from  the  dead?"     "To 

show  Himself  with  power  as  the  Son  of  God,  who  rendered 
satisfaction  for  our  sins  and  won  for  us  the  righteousness 
that  avails   before   God." 

31.  What  does  the  resurrection  of  .lesMs  prove  with  reference  to  His 

person?     It  proves  that  He  is  the  Son  of  God. 

32.  Yes,  because  He  rose  by  His  own  power,  as  we  see  from  John 

10,  17-18.  "Therefore  doth  my  Father  love  me,  because  I  lay 
down  my  life,  that  I  might  take  it  again.  No  man  taketh  it 
from  me,  but  I  lay  it  down  of  myself.  I  have  power  to  lay 
it  down,  and  I  have  power  to  take  it  again.  This  command- 
ment have   I   received  of  my  Father." 

33.  Read  Rom.  1,  4.     "Declared  to  be  the  Son  of  God  with  power,  ac- 

cording to  the  Spirit  of  holiness  by  the  resurrection  from  the 
dead." 

34.  What  does  our  answer  No.  202  say  further  concerning  Jesus,  the 

Son  of  God?  It  says  that  He  rendered  satisfaction  for  our 
sins,  and  won  for  us  the  righteousness  that  avails  before 
God. 

35.  This  was  the  work  of  Christ.    For  this  purpose  He  came  into  the 

world.  Now  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  proves  that  He  really 
accomplished  this  work.  If  Jesus  had  remained  in  death,  we 
would  have  no  certainty  that  the  ransom  which  He  offered 
was  sufficient  for  our  redemption.  But  what  does  the  apostle 
say  in  Rom.  4,  25?  "Christ  was  delivered  for  our  offences, 
and  was  raised  again  for  our  justification." 

3G.     Why  was  Christ  raised  asain?     He  was  raised  again  for  our  jus- 
tification. 

37.  His  resurrection  is  a  declaration  on  the  part  of  God  that  the  debt 

is  paid,  that  the  justice  of  God  is  satisfied.  Let  us  hear  what 
the  apostle  says,  1  Cor.  15,  17.18,  as  to  the  condition  of  affairs 
if  Christ  had  not  risen.  "If  Christ  be  not  raised,  your  faith 
is  vain;  ye  are  yet  in  your  sins.  Then  they  also  which  are 
fallen  asleep  in  Christ  are  perished." 

38.  What  does'"  he  say  of  us  with  reference  to  our  sins  if  Christ  be 

not  risen?     We  would  yet  be  in  our  sins. 

39.  What  does  he  say  of  those  who  are  fallen  asleep  in  Jesus,  that  is, 

those  who  have  died  in  the  faith  of  Jesus?  He  says  they  are 
perished,  if  Christ  be  not  risen. 

40.  If  Christ  had  not  risen  from  the  dead;   if  death  could  hold  Him, 

what  power  would  it  also  have  over  us?  It  would  also  hold 
us. 

41.  But  now  since  He  arose,  what  blessed  hope  have  we  in  death? 

The  hope  that  we,  too,  shall  arise  from  the  dead. 

42.  Repeat  John  11,  25-26.     "I  am  the  resurrection,  and  the  life:    he 

that  believeth  in  me,  though  He  were  dead,  yet  shall  He  live: 
and  whosoever  liveth  and  believeth   in  me  shall   never  die." 

43.  What  does  Jesus  say  here  of  him  that  believeth  on  Him?   "Though 

he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live." 

44.  Repeat  also  John  14,  19.     "Because  I   live,  ye  shall  live  also." 

45.  He  is  our  Head;   we  are  His  members.     If  the  Head  lives,  what 

follows  with  reference  to  the  members?     They  will  live  also. 


LESSON  6i.  205 

4(;.  Read  Rom.  8,  11.  "But  if  the  Spirit  of  Him,  that  raised  up  Jesus 
from  the  dead,  dwell  in  you,  he  that  raised  up  Christ  from 
the  dead  shall  also  quicken  your  mortal  bodies  by  His  Spirit 
that  dwelleth  in  you." 

47.  What  does  the  apostle  here  say  shall   l^e  done  with   the  mortal 

bodies  of  those  in  whom  the  Spirit  of  the  risen  Savior  dwells? 
God  shall  quicken  them. 

48.  That  is,  God  shall  make  them  alive.     Read  also  1  Peter   1,  3.4. 

"Blessed  be  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
which  according  to  His  abundant  mercy  hath  begotten  us 
again  unto  a  lively  hope  by  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ 
from  the  dead,  to  an  inheritance  incorruptible,  and  undefiled, 
and  that  fadeth  not  away,  reserved  in  heaven  for  you." 

49.  The  apostle  here  says  we  have  a  lively  hope  based  on  the  resur- 

rection of  Jesus  Christ  from  the  dead.  What  does  He  call 
this  hope  in  the  4th  verse?     He  calls  it  an  inheritance. 

50  What  kind  of  an  inheritance?  An  inheritance  incorruptible  and 
undefiled,  and  that  fadeth  not  away. 

51.  And  where  do  we  look  for  this  inheritance?     It  is  reserved  for  us 

in  heaven. 

52.  Even  in  the  Old  Testament  the  children  of  God  had  this  blessed 

hope,  as  we  see  from  .lob  19,  25-27.  "I  know  that  my  Re- 
deemer liveth,  and  that  He  shall  stand  at  the  latter  day  upon 
the  earth;  and  though,  after  my  skin  worms  destroy  this 
body,  yet  in  my  flesh  shall  I  see  God:  Whom  I  shall  see  for 
myself,  and   mine  eyes  shall   behold,  and   not  another." 

5:1.  What  does  .Job  here  say  that  he  knows  concerning  the  coming 
Redeemer?     He  knows  that  He  lives. 

54.  And  though  he  knows  that  His  own  body  shall  decay,  yet  what 

blessed  hope  does  He  express?  He  says,  "In  my  flesh  I  shall 
see  God." 

55.  Here   we   have   the   same   blessed   hope   expressed.     Because    his 

Redeemer  lives  what  does  he  hope  for?  That  he  shall  live 
also. 

56.  How  does  he  hope  to  see  God  even  after  worms  have  destroyed 

his  body?     In  his  flesh  he  hopes  to  see  God. 

57.  Then  what  must  be  done  with  his  flesh  or  his  body?     It  must  be 

raised  from  the  dead. 


LESSON    No.    61.      CHRIST'S    ASCENSION    INTO    HEAVEN. 

(Questions  20.3-205). 

W^hat  things  belong  to  Christ's  state  of  exaltation?  "He  de- 
scended into  Hell,  the  third  day  He  arose  again  from  the 
dead.  He  ascended  into  Heaven  and  sitteth  at  the  right  hand 
of  God,  the  Father  Almighty,  from  thence  He  shall  come  to 
judge  the  quick  and  the  dead. 

Which  of  these  did  we  consider  in  our  last  lesson?  We  consid- 
ered  His  resurrection  from  the  dead." 

On  what  day  did  Christ  arise  from  the  dead?  On  the  third  day 
after  His  crucifixion. 


206  LESSON  6l. 

4.  By  whom  was  He  seen  after  His  resurrection?     By  His  apostles, 

and  by  the  women  who  had  come  to  anoint  His  body. 

5.  What  is  the  next  step  in  His  exaltation  after  His  resurrection? 

His  ascension    into   heaven. 

6.  How  many  days  did  Christ  show  Himself  to  His  disciples  after 

His  resurrection?     He  showed    Himself  forty  days. 

7.  Yes,   and   during   this    time    He    talked    to    them   concerning   His 

Kingdom,  and  explained  many  things  which  they  had  not 
understood  concerning  it.  After  this  time,  what  became  of 
Christ?     He  ascended  into  heaven. 

8.  Thus  we  read  in  the  first  chapter  of  Acts.     I^et  us  look  especially 

at  the  9th  verse.  "When  He  had  spol<en  of  these  things, 
while  they  beheld.  He  was  taken  up;  and  a  cloud  received 
Him  out  of  their  sight." 

9.  How   was   .lesus    taken    up?      He   was  taken    up    and    a   cloud    re- 

ceived   Him   out  of  their  sight. 

10.  Who  were  the  eye  witnesses  of  His  ascension?     His  disciples. 

11.  (203)     Yes,  before  their  very  eyes,  while  He  was  talking  to  them, 

He  was  taken  up  into  heaven.  "Why  did  He  ascend  into 
heaven?"  "To  seat  Himself  at  the  right  hand  of  His  Father, 
and  before  Him  exercise  the  office  of  Mediator  and  Advocate 
for  us." 

12.  Repeat  Mark  16,   19.     "So   the    Lord,   after    He    had  spoken   unto 

them,   was    received    up    into    heaven,    and    sat    on    the    right 
hand  of  God." 
1.3.     What  great   promise   had  the   Savior  given?     Mat.   28,   20.     "Lo, 
I  am  with  you  aiway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world." 

14.  The  Savior  is  with  us,  though  we  cannot  see  Him.     What  do  we 

call  the  manner  of  His  presence?  We  say  He  is  invisibly 
present  with  us. 

15.  Where  is  the  Savior  visibly  present  since  His  ascension?     He  is 

visibly  present  in  heaven. 

16.  Read  Acts  7,  55.  56,  and  let  us  hear  what  Stephen  saw.   "He,  being 

full  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  looked  up  steadfastly  into  heaven, 
and  saw  the  glory  of  God,  and  Jesus  standing  on  the  right 
hand  of  God.  And  said,  'Behold,  I  see  the  heavens  opened, 
and  tKe  Son  of  man  standing  on  the  right  hand  of  God.'" 

17.  Even  in  the  Old  Testament  this  ascension  of  the   Messiah  had 

been  foretold,  as  we  see  from  Ps.  68,  18.  "Thou  hast  as- 
cended on  high,  thou  hast  led  captivity  captive:  thou  hast 
received  gifts  for  men;  yea,  for  the  rebellious  also,  that 
the   Lord    God   might  dwell    among   them." 

18.  What   blessed   promise   did   the   Savior   give   us   in  John   12,    26? 

"Where  I  am,  there  shall  also  my  servant  be." 

19.  And  again  John  14,  2.    "I  go  to  prepare  a  place  for  you." 

20.  Since  Christ  ascended  into  heaven,  what  blessed  hope  have  we 

also?  The  hope  that  we  will  also  go  to  heaven  and  be  with 
Him. 

21.  What  office  does  Christ  exercise  in  heaven  for  us?     The  office  of 

Mediator  and  Advocate. 

22.  He  is  our  Representative  with  God,  our  Advocate  in  the  court  of 

heaven.  Tell  me  this  with  a  scripture  passage.  1  John 
2,  1.2.  "If  any  man  sin,  we  have  an  advocate  with  the 
Father,  Jesus  Christ  the  righteous:  and  He  is  the  propiti- 
ation for  our  sins:  and  not  for  ours  only,  but  also  for  the 
sins  of  the  whole  world." 


LESSON  6l.  207 

23.  Jesus  intercedes  for  us  before  God.     He  pleads  our  cause.     This 

intercession  is  part  of  what  office  of  Christ?  It  is  part  of 
Christ's   highpriestly  office. 

24.  What  a  comfort  it  is  for  us  to  know  that  the  Savior  is  our  Me- 

diator and  Advocate.  Now  what  may  we  hope  for  when  we 
pray  to  God?     We  may  hope  to  be  heard. 

25.  For  whose  sake  may  we  hope  this?     For  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ. 

26.  We  confess  in  the  creed  that  Christ  ascended  into  heaven.    What 

do  we  add  to  this  confession?  That  He  sitteth  at  the  right 
hand  of  God  the  Father  Almighty. 

27.  (204)     "What  is  understood  by  the  right  hand  of  God,  at  which 

Christ  seated  Himself?"  "The  infinite  power  and  majesty  of 
God,  whereby  He  works,  governs  and  fills  all  things." 

28.  Where  is  God?     God  is  everywhere. 

29.  When  we  speak  of  God's  right  hand,  we  must  not  think  of  Him 

as  we  would  of  a  human  being  with  hands,  feet,  eyes,  ears 
and  other  members.  God  is  not  a  bodily  being,  but  what  is 
He?     God  is  a  spirit. 

30.  Tell  me   this   with   a   Scripture   passage,   John   4,   24.     "God    is   a 

spirit,  and  they  that  worship  Him  must  worship  Him  in 
spirit  and  in  truth." 

31.  Such  expressions  then,  as  the  hand  or  eye  of  God  are  figurative 

expressions.  They  stand  for  the  attributes  of  God.  For  in- 
stance, what  are  the  eyes  used  for?  Our  eyes  are  used  to 
see. 

32.  What  does  the  eye  of  God  stand  for?     It  stands  for   His  omnis- 

cience. 
3-3.     What  do  we  use  our  hands  for?    We  use  them  for  work. 
34.     Which  of  our  hands  and  arms  is  usually  the  stronger?     Our  right 

hand. 
3.5.     So  what  does  the  right  hand  of  God  stand  for?     it  stands  for  His 

almighty  power. 

36.  Read  Ps.  77,  10.     "I  said,  'This  is  my  infirmity;   but  I  will   remem- 

ber the  years  of  the  right  hand  of  the  Most  High.'" 

37.  Also  Ps.  118,  16.    "The  right  hand  of  the  Lord  is  exalted:  the  right 

hand  of  the  Lord  doeth  valiantly." 

38.  Also  Exodus  15,  6.     "Thy  right  hand,  O   Lord,   is  become  glorious 

in  power:  thy  right  hand,  O  Lord,  hath  dashed  in  pieces  the 
enemy." 

39.  Also  Is.  48,  13.     "Mine  hand  also   hath    laid  the  foundation   of  the 

earth,  and  my  right  hand   hath  spanned  the  heavens." 

40.  But  the  right  hand   is   also  to  express   majesty  and   honor.     So 

we  read  concerning  Christ,  Heb.  1,  3.  "Who  being  the 
brightness  of  His  glory,  and  the  express  image  of  His  per- 
son, and  upholding  all  things  by  the  word  of  His  power, 
when  He  had  by  Himself  purged  our  sins,  sat  down  on  the 
right  hand  of  the   Majesty  on   high." 

41.  Read  also  Mat.  26,  64.     "Hereafter  shall  ye  see  the   Son   of  man 

sitting  on  the  right  hand  of  power,  and  coming  in  the  clouds 
of  heaven." 

42.  This  expression  is  used  to  tell  us  that  after  His  deep  humiliation, 

suffering  and  death,  God  hath  highly  exalted  the  Savior,  as 
we  read  Phil.  2,  9-11.  "Wherefore  God  also  hath  highly  ex- 
alted Him,  and  given  Him  a  name  which  is  above  every 
name:  that  at  the  name  of  Jesus  every  knee  should  bow,  of 
things  in  heaven  and  things  in  earth,  and  things  under  the 
earth;  and  that  every  tongue  should  confess  that  Jesus 
Christ  Is  Lord,  to  the  glory  of  God  the  Father." 


208  LESSON  6l. 

43.  Christ  as  God  always  had  divine  power  and  majesty  and   exer- 

cised it.  As  man  this  divine  power  and  majesty  were 
given  to  Him,  but  He  did  not  fully  nor  constantly  make  use 
of  them  during  His  state  of  humiliation;  but  now  since  He 
is  exalted,  He  has  entered  into  the  full  use  and  exercise  of 
His  divine  power  and  majesty,  even  according  to  His  human 
nature.  Over  what  has  Christ,  our  brother,  dominion?  He 
has  dominion  over  all  things. 

44.  Through   whom   does   God   the   Father   now   rule   and   govern  the 

whole  world?     Through   Jesus   Christ,  our   Lord. 

45.  So  we  read  that  Christ  is  Lord  even  over  His  enemies,  Ps.  110,  1. 

"Sit  thou  at  my  right  hand,  until  I  make  thine  enemies  thy 
footstool." 

46.  Also  Eph.   1,  2U-22.     "And  set   Him   at   His  own   right  hand   in  th€ 

heavenly  places,  far  above  all  principality  and  power,  and 
might,  and  dominion,  and  every  name  that  is  named,  not 
only  in  this  world,  but  also  in  that  which  is  to  come:  and 
hath  put  all  things  under  His  feet,  and  gave  Him  to  be  the 
head  over  all  things  to  the  church." 

47.  Read   Eph.   4,   10.     "He   that  descended    is  the  same   also  that  as- 

cended up  far  above  all  heavens,  that  He  might  fill  all  things." 

48.  The  right  hand  of  God  is  not  any  particular  locality,  or  place,  but 

is  used  to  express  the  majesty  and  power  of  the  Savior. 
Since  His  exaltation  He  is  everywhere  as  He  promised  Mat. 
18,  20.  "Where  two,  or  three,  are  gathered  together  in  my 
name,  there  am   I   in  the  midst  of  them." 

49.  Read  Matt.  28,  20.     "Lo,   I   am  with  you  alway  even   unto  the  end 

of  the  world." 

50.  It  is  a  great  comfort  to  know  that  Christ,  our  brother,  rules  and 

governs  all  things.  That  He  is  King  of  kings  and  Lord  of 
lords,  as  we  read  in  Rev.  19,  16.  "He  is  the  Lord  of  lords  and 
King  of  kings." 

51.  Again  Rev.  19,  16.    "He  hath  His  vesture  and  on  His  thigh  a  name 

writte""n,  King  of  kings  and   Lord  of   Lords." 

52.  He  not  only  rules  and  governs   all  things,  but  guards  and  pro- 

tects His  church  and  shall  triumph  with  the  saints  in  heaven 
forever.  How  manifold  is  the  kingdom  of  Christ?  Christ's 
kingdom   is  threefold. 

53.  What  is  the  threefold  kingdom  of  Christ?     His  kingdom  of  power, 

His  kingdom  of  grace  and   His  kingdom   of  glory. 

54.  How  long  shall  this  kingdom  of  Christ  last?     It  shall  last  forever. 

55.  So  we  read  Luke  1,  33.     "He  shall   reign  over  the  house  of  Jacob 

forever;   and  of  His  kingdom  there  shall  be  no  end." 

56.  Also  Heb.  1,  8.     "But  unto  the  Son   He  saith,  'Thy  throne,  O  God, 

is  forever  and  ever:  a  sceptre  of  righteousness  is  the  sceptre 
of  thy   kingdom.'  " 


LESSON   62.  209 

LESSON  NO.  62.     CHRIST'S  COMING  TO  JUDGMENT. 

(Question  No.  206). 

1.  What  was  the  subject  of  our  last  lesson?     Christ's  ascension  into 

heaven  and  His  sitting  at  the  right  hand  of  God. 

2.  To  which  state  of  Christ  does  this  belong?     To   His  state  of  ex- 

altation. 

3.  The  Savior  ascended  up  into  heaven  visibly.     The  disciples  stood 

looking  up  at  Him  as  Pie  disappeai'ed  from  their  view;  and 
as  they  stood  looking  up  to  heaven  two  angels  appeared  to 
them.  Let  us  hear  what  these  angels  said.  Acts  1,  10.  11. 
"While  they  looked  steadfastly  toward  heaven  as  He  went 
up,  behold,  two  men  stood  by  them  in  white  apparel;  which 
also  said,  'Ye  men  of  Galilee,  why  stand  ye  gazing  up  into 
heaven?  This  same  Jesus,  which  is  taken  up  from  you  into 
heaven,  shall  so  come  in  like  manner  as  ye  have  seen  Him 
go  into  heaven.'  " 

4.  What  did  the  angels  say  to  them  concerning  the  ascended  Savior 

on  this  occasion?     That  He  shall  come  again. 

5.  And  how  shall  He  come  again?     He  shall   come   in    like  manner 

as  they  saw  Him  go  into  heaven. 

6.  That  is,  °He  shall  come  again  visibly.     In  what  words  do  we  con- 

fess this  in  the  third  article  of  the  creed?  "From  thence  He 
shall  come  to  judge  the  quick  and  the  dead." 

7.  Yes,  Jesus  shall   come  again.     Let  us  see  what  the  Savior  says 

as  to  the  manner  of  His  coming.  We  have  already  seen  that 
He  shall  come  visibly.  Now  turn  to  Mat.  25,  31.  "When  the 
Son  of  man  shall  come  in  His  glory,  and  all  the  holy  angels 
with   Him,  then   shall    He  sit   upon   the  throne  of   His  glory." 

8.  When  Jesus  appeared  the  first  time  upon  earth,  He  appeared  in 

meekness  and  humility,  in  poverty  and  suffering,  but  how 
will  He  appear  when  He  comes  again?  He  will  appear  in 
His  glory. 

9.  When  He  appeared  the  first  time,  He  was  accompanied  by  poor 

publicans  and  fishermen.  His  disciples  were  all  men  in  the 
common  walks  of  life.  But  when  He  comes  again,  who  will 
be  with  Him?     All  the  holy  angels  will  be  with  Him. 

10.  When  He  came  the  first  time  He  stood  before  the  judgment  seat 

of  such  an  unjust  judge  as  the  heathen  Pontius  Pilate,  but 
when  He  comes  again,  how  will  He  appear?  He  shall  sit 
upon  the  throne  of  His  glory. 

11.  Let  us  again  hear   how  this  coming  of  the   Savior  is  described. 

Mat.  16,  27.  "The  Son  of  man  shall  come  in  the  glory  of 
His  Father  with  His  angels;  and  then  He  shall  reward  every 
man  according  to  his  works." 

12.  Read  also  Mat.  24,  30.     "Then  shall   appear  the  sign  of  the  Son 

of  man  in  heaven:  and  then  shall  all  the  tribes  of  the  earth 
mourn,  and  they  shall  see  the  Son  of  man  coming  in  the 
clouds  of  heaven  with  power  and  great  .glory." 

13.  (206)     "For  what  purpose  will  Christ  come  again?"     "To  judge 

the  quick  and  the  dead." 

14.  What  will  He  come  for?     He  will  come  to  judge. 

14 


210  LESSON  62. 

15.  Who  then  is  the  judge  of  all  the  world?    Our  Savior,  Jesus  Christ. 

16.  So  He  Himself  says,  John  5,  22.     "The   Father  judgeth  no  man, 

but  hath  committed  all  judgment  unto  the  Son." 

17.  So  St.  Paul  also  told  his  hearers  at  Athens,  Acts  17,   31.     "Be- 

cause He  hath  appointed  a  day,  in  the  which  He  will  judge 
the  world  in  righteousness  by  that  man  whom  He  hath  or- 
dained; whereof  He  hath  given  assurance  unto  all  men,  in 
that  He  hath  ra' led  Him  from  the  dead." 

18.  Who  is  the  man  app(  nted  of  God  to  judge  the  world  to  whom  the 

apostle  here  rei   rs?     He  refers  to  Jesus  Christ. 

19.  St.  Peter  says  the  same  to  Cornelius  and  his  household,  Acts  10, 

42.  "He  commai  ded  us  to  preach  unto  the  people  and  to  tes- 
tify that  it  is  He  which  was  ordained  of  God  to  be  the  judge 
of  the  quick  and  the  dead." 

20.  What  does  the   Savior  say  of  the  exact  time  of  His  coming  to 

judgment?  Mark  13,  32.  "Of  that  day  and  that  hour  knov/- 
eth  no  man,  not  the  angels  which  are  in  heaven,  neither  the 
Son,  but  the  Father." 

21.  There  have  been  men  who  thought  they  knew  the  exact  time  of 

the  Savior's  coming.  But  what  does  the  Savior  Himself  say? 
He  says  no  man,  not  even  the  angels  themselves,  know  when 
He  is  coming. 

22.  We  should  be  prepared  for  His  coming  at  any  time,  as  the  Savior 

admonishes.  I^uKe  21,  34-36.  "Take  heed  to  yourselves,  lest 
at  any  time  your  hearts  be  overcharged  with  surfeiting,  and 
drunkenness,  and  cares  of  this  life,  and  so  that  day  come 
upon  you  unawares.  For  as  a  snare  it  shall  come  on  all  them 
that  dwell  on  the  face  of  the  whole  earth.  Watch  ye  there- 
fore and  pray  always,  that  ye  may  be  accounted  worthy  to 
escape  all  these  things  that  shall  come  to  pass,  and  to  stand 
before  the  Son   of  man." 

23.  So   also   St.   Paul  writes,   1   Thes.   5,   1-3.     "Of  the   times  and   the 

seasons,  brethren,  ye  have  no  need  that  I  write  unto  you. 
For  yourselves  know  perfectly  that  the  day  of  the  Lord  so 
Cometh  as  a  thief  in  the  night.  For  when  they  shall  say, 
'Peace  and  safety,'  then  sudden  destruction  cometh  upon 
them,  as  travail  upon  a  woman  with  child;  and  they  shall 
not  escape." 

24.  In  Mat.  24,   42-51   the  Savior  admonishes  us  to  be  prepared  for 

His  coming.  Read  the  42nd  verse.  "Watch  therefore;  for 
ye  know  not  what  hour  your  Lord  doth  come." 

25.  In   Mat.    25,  1-13,  what  parable  does  the  Savior  use  to  admonish 

His  disciples  to  be  ready  for  His  coming?  The  parable  of 
the  ten   virgins. 

26.  What  does  the  Savior  say  of  those  who  were  ready  for  His  com- 

ing? Verse  10.  "While  they  went  to  buy,  the  bridegroom 
came;  and  they  that  were  ready  went  in  with  Him  to  the 
marriage:   and  the  door  was  shut." 

27.  Who  went  in  to  the  marriage  feast?     They  that  were  ready. 

28.  Yes,  they  that  live  in  the  faith  of  Jesus  ai'e  always  ready  for  His 

coming.  We  should  be  more  concerned  about  our  readiness 
to  meet  Him  than  about  the  exact  time  of  His  coming.  And 
yet  we  should  not  regard  His  coming  as  far  off  but  rather 
as  near  at  hand,  ag  we  read,  1  Pet.  4,  7.  "The  end  rf  »<« 
things  is  at  hand." 


LESSON   62.  211 

29.  What  does  St.  John  write  in  his  first  epistle,  chap.  2,  18?     "Little 

children,  it  is  the  last  time:  and  as  ye  have  heard  that  anti- 
christ shall  come,  even  now  are  there  many  antichrists; 
whereby  we  know  that  it  is  the  last  time." 

30.  What  does   St.   Paul,   1    Thes.   2,   3.  4,  say  as  to  the  time  of  the 

Savior's  coming?  "Let  no  man  deceive  you  by  any  means: 
for  that  day  shall  not  come,  except  there  come  a  falling  away 
first,  and  that  man  of  sin  be  revealed,  the  son  of  perdition; 
who  opposeth  and  exaiteth  himself  above  all  that  is  called 
God,  or  that  is  worshipped;  so  that  he  as  God  sitteth  in  the 
temple  of  God,  shewing  himself  that  he  is  God." 

31.  This  has  already  been  fulfilled.     How  many  have  fallen  from  the 

faith,  and  in  popery  we  have  revealed  more  and  more  the 
man  of  sin  who  shows  himself  to  be  God.  But  the  Savior 
in  Mat.  24,  1-35  tells  us  of  other  signs  by  which  we  shall 
recognize  the  fact  that  the  day  of  the  Lord  is  fast  approach- 
ing. What  does  He  speak  of  in  the  6th  verse?  Of  wars  and 
rumors  of  war. 

32.  And  in  the  9th  verse?     Of  persecutions. 

33.  And  in  the  11th  verse?     Of  the  coming  of  false  prophets. 

34.  And  in  the  13th  verse?     That  the  Gospel  shall  be  preached  in  all 

the  world. 

35.  Now  read  the  verses  29  and  30.     "Immediately  after  the  tribula- 

tion of  those  days  shall  the  sun  be  darkened,  and  the  moon 
shall  not  give  her  light,  and  the  stars  shall  fall  from  heaven, 
and  the  powers  of  the  heavens  shall  be  shaken:  and  then 
shall  appear  the  sign  of  the  Son  of  man  in  heaven:  and  then 
shall  all  the  tribes  of  the  earth  mourn,  and  they  shall  see  the 
Son  of  man  coming  in  the  clouds  of  heaven  with  power  and 
great  glory." 

36.  All  these  signs  are  either  already  fulfilled  or  will  be  fulfilled  at 

the  coming  of  Christ,  and  from  them  we  should  recognize 
the  fact  that  the  coming  of  the  Lord  to  judgment  is  not  far 
off.  Repeat  2  Pet.  3,  10.  "The  day  of  the  Lord  will  come  as 
a  thief  in  the  night;  in  the  which  the  heavens  shall  pass 
away  with  a  great  noise,  and  the  elements  shall  melt  with 
fervent  heat,  the  earth  also  and  the  works  that  are  therein 
shall   be  burned  up." 

37.  Tell  me  from  Rev.  20.  11,  what  shall  become  of  the  visible  heaven 

and  earth  on  that  day?     They  shall  pass  away. 

38.  And  what  is  written  in  Rev.  21,  1.     "I   saw  a  new  heaven  and  a 

new  earth:  for  the  first  heaven  and  the  first  earth  were 
passed  away;   and  there  was  no  more  sea." 

39.  We  have  seen  that  the  Savior  shall  be  the  great  judge  of  all  the 

earth.  Who  shall  be  His  servants  or  ministers  according  to 
Mat.  24,  31?  "He  shall  send  His  angels  with  the  great  sound 
of  a  trumpet,  and  they  shall  gather  together  His  elect  from 
the  four  winds,  from  one  end  of  heaven  to  the  other." 

40.  Read  also  Mat.  13,  41.     "The  Son  of  man   shall   send  forth    His 

angels,  and  they  shall  gather  out  of  His  kingdom  all  things 
that  offend,  and  them  which  do  iniquity." 

41.  Also   1   Thes.   4,   16.      "For   the    Lord    Himself  shall   descend  from 

heaven  with  a  shout,  with  the  voice  of  the  archangel,  and  with 
the  trump  of  God:  and  the  dead  in  Christ  shall   rise  first." 


212  LESSON  62. 

42.  Now  let  us  see  who  shall  he  judged.     Repeat  2  Cor.  5,  10.     "We 

must  all  appear  before  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ;  that 
every  one  may  receive  the  things  done  in  his  body,  according 
to  that  he  hath  done,  whither  it  be  good  or  bad." 

43.  Who  must  appear  before  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ?     All  men. 

44.  And  how  shall  we  all  be  judged?     We  shall  be  Judged  according 

to  what  we  have  done  while  we  lived,  whether  it  be  good  or 
bad. 

45.  Read  Rev.  20,  12.     "I  saw  the  dead,  small  and  great,  stand  before 

God;  and  the  books  were  opened:  and  another  book  was 
opened  which  is  the  book  of  life:  and  the  dead  were  Judged 
out  of  these  things  which  were  written  in  the  books,  accord- 
ing to  their  works." 

46.  Also  .Jude   14,    15.      "Enoch   also,  the   seventh   from   Adam,   proph- 

esied of  these,  saying,  'Behold,  the  Lord  cometh  with  ten 
thousand  of  His  saints,  to  execute  Judgment  upon  all,  and  to 
convince  all  that  are  ungodly  among  them  of  all  their  un- 
godly deeds  which  they  have  ungodly  committed,  and  of  all 
their  hard  speeches  which  ungodly  sinners  have  spoken 
against   Him." 

47.  Also  Eccles.  11.  9.     "Rejoice,  O  young  man,  in  thy  youth;   and  let 

thy  heart  cheer  thee  in  the  days  of  thy  youth,  and  walk  in 
the  ways  of  thine  heart,  and  in  the  sight  of  thine  eyes:  but 
know  thou,  that  for  all  these  things  God  will  bring  thee  into 
judgment." 

48.  We  shall  have  to  give  an  account  of  all  our  thoughts,  words  and 

actions.  So  we  read.  Eccles.  12,  14.  "God  shall  bring  every 
work  into  Judgment,  with  every  secret  thing,  whether  it  be 
good  or  whether  it  be  evil." 

49.  What  does  the  Savior  say  of  our  words,  Mat.  12,  36?     "I  say  unto 

you,  that  every  idle  word  that  men  shall  speak,  they  shall 
give  account  thereof  in  the  day  of  Judgment." 

50.  And  what  does  the  Apostle  say  even  of  our  thoughts,  1  Cor.  4,  5. 

"Therefore  Judge  nothing  before  the  time,  until  the  Lord 
come,  who  both  will  bring  to  light  the  hidden  things  of  dark- 
ness, and  will  make  manifest  the  counsels  of  the  hearts:  and 
then  shall  every  man   have  praise  of  God." 

51.  How  careful  we  should  be  as  to  our  actions  and  words:  yea  even 

our  thoughts  when  we  consider  that  for  all  we  are  account- 
able to  the  Savior  on  the  great  day.  Now  let  us  see  accord- 
ing to  what  rule  or  law  men  will  be  judged.  Repeat  John 
12.  48.  "The  word  that  I  have  spoken,  the  same  shall  Judge 
him  in  the  last  day." 

52.  Read  Rom.  2,   16.     "In  the  day  when   God  shall  Judge  the  secrets 

of  men  by  Jesus  Christ  according  to  my  gospel." 

53.  The  Gospel  shall  be  the  rule  of  judgment.    It  will  all  depend  upon 

how  men  have  conducted  themselves  toward  the  Gospel. 
What  do  the  Scriptures  say  of  those  who  believe  the  Gospel? 
Mark  16,  16.  "He  that  believeth  and  is  baptized  shall  be 
saved." 

54.  And  what  about  those  who  do  not  believe?     "He  that  believeth 

not  shall  be  damned." 


LESSON    63.  213 

55.  Jtead   also  Rev.   20,   12.     "I   saw  the   dead,  small   and   great,   stand 

before  God;  and  the  books  were  opened  and  another  book 
was  opened,  which  is  the  book  of  life;  and  the  dead  were 
judged  out  of  those  things  which  were  written  in  the  books  ac- 
cording to   their  works." 

56.  The  Savior  Himself  is  tlie  book  of  life.     All  who  believe  on  Him 

are  written  in  the  book  of  life.  Their  works  testify  that  they 
believe  on  Him.  So  when  the  Scriptures  say  that  men  shall 
be  judged  by  their  works  we  must  remember  that  good  works 
are  the  fruits  of  faith.  Where  good  works  are  wanting  there 
is  no  faith  in  the  Savior.  In  Mat.  25,  31-46  we  have  a  de- 
scription of  the  final  judgment.  What  does  the  King  say  to 
the  righteous  on  His  right  hand?  Verse  34.  "Come,  ye 
blessed  of  my  Father,  inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  for  you 
from  the  foundation  of  the  world." 

57.  And  what  shall  He  say  to  the  wicked  on  His  left  hand?     Verse 

41.  "Depart  from  me,  ye  cursed,  into  everlasting  fire,  pre- 
pared for  the  devil  and  his  angels." 

58.  This  judgment  is  the  last  judgment.     From  it  there  is  no  appeal. 

Its  decision  shall  stand  forever  as  we  see  from  the  46th  verse 
of  this  chapter.  "These  shall  go  away  into  everlasting  pun- 
ishment:   but  the  righteous  into  life  eternal." 


THE  THIRD  ARTICLE  OF  THE  CREED. 


LESSON  63  — THE  PERSON  OF  THE  HOLY  GHOST. 

(Question  207-212.) 

1.  How  many  chief  parts   has  the  catechism?     The   catechism    has 

six  chief  parts. 

2.  What    are    they?      The    holy    Ten    Commandments,    the    Apostles 

Creed,    the    Lord's    Prayer,    Holy    Baptism    and    the    Lord's 
Supper. 

3.  Which  is  the  second  chief  part  of  the  catechism?     The  Apostles' 

Creed. 

4.  How  many  articles  are  in  the  creed?     There  are  three  articles  in 

the  creed. 

5.  Of  what  does  the  first  article  treat?     The  first  article  treats  of 

creation. 

6.  Of  what  does  the  second  article  treat?     The  second  article  treats 

of  redemption. 

7.  Of  what  does  the  third  article  treat?     The  third  article  treats  of 

sanctification. 

8.  Of  whom  does  the  first  article  treat?     The  first  article  treats  of 

God  the  Father. 

9.  Of  whom  does  the  second  article  treat?    The  second  article  treats 

of  God  the  Son. 

10.     And    of   whom    does    the   third   article    treat?      The   third    article 
treats  of  God  the  Holy  Ghost. 


214  Lesson  63. 

11.  (207)     "Repeat  the  third  article — of  sanetification."    "I  believe  in 

the  Holy  Ghost;  the  holy  Christian  Church,  the  Communion  of 
saints;  the  forgiveness  of  sins;  the  resurrection  of  the  body; 
and  the   life  everlasting.     Amen." 

12.  (208)     "What  does  this  mean?"     "I  believe  that  I  cannot  by  my 

own  reason  or  strength  believe  in  Jesus  Christ,  my  Lord,  or 
come  to  Him;  but  the  Holy  Ghost  has  called  me  by  the  Gos- 
enlightened  me  with  His  gifts,  sanctified  and  kept  me  in  the 
true  faith;  even  as  He  calls,  gathers,  enlightens,  and  sancti- 
fies the  whole  Christian  Church  on  earth,  and  keeps  it  with 
Jesus  Christ  in  the  one  true  faith;  in  which  Christian  Church 
He  daily  and  richly  forgives  all  sins  to  me  and  all  believers, 
and  will  at  the  last  day  raise  up  me  and  all  the  dead,  and 
give  unto  me  and  all  believers  in  Christ  eternal  life.  This 
is   most  certainly  true." 

13.  (209)     "How  many  parts  does  this  article  contain?"    "Principally 

five:  it  treats,  1.  Of  the  Holy  Ghost;  2.  Of  the  Christian 
Church;  3.  Of  Forgiveness  of  Sin;  4.  Of  the  Resurrection  of 
the  Body;    5.    Of  Eternal   Life." 

14.  What    then    is    the    first    thing    which    we    confess    in    this    third 

article?     We  confess  to  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost. 

15.  (210)     "What  words  of  the  third  article  treat  of  the  Holy  Ghost?" 

"I   believe   in  the   Holy  Ghost." 

16.  (211)     "Why  do  you  say:    'I  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost?'"     "Be- 

cause I  acknowledge  Him  as  the  third  Person  of  the  Godhead 
and  thereby  as  true  God." 

17.  To  believe  in  God   means  to  fear,  love  and  trust  in  him.     Under 

which  commandment  did  we  consider  this  fear,  love  and 
trust?     Under  the  first  commandment. 

18.  What  does  the  explanation  of  the  first  commandment  tell  us  about 

such  fear,  love  and  trust?  It  tells  us  that  we  should  fear, 
love  and  trust  in  God  above  all  things. 

19.  What  kind  of  honor  do  we  give  God  when  we  fear,  love  and  trust 

in  Him  above  all  things?     We  give  Him  divine  honor. 

20.  Now   tell   me   from   question   211:    how   do   you   regard   the   Holy 

Ghost?       I   regard   Him  as  true  God. 

21.  Yes;   how  many  persons  are  there  in  God?     There  are  three  per- 

sons in  God. 

22.  Which  of  these  is  the  Holy  Ghost?    The  third  person  is  the  Holy 

Ghost. 

23.  (212)     "Why  do  you  believe  that  the  Holy  Ghost  Is  true  God?" 

"Because  in  the  Holy  Scriptures  the  names,  attributes,  works 
and  honor,  which  pertain  to  God  only,  are  expressly  ascribed 
to  Him." 

24.  Where  do  we  find  this  plainly  taught  that  the  Holy  Ghost  is  true 

God?     We  find  it  taught  in  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

25.  According  to  question  212,  what  is  the  first  thing  ascribed  to  the 

Holy  Ghost  in  the  Scriptures?  The  names  which  pertain  to 
God  only. 


LESSON   63.  215 

26.  Yes;  we  find  in  the  Bible  tliat  tlie  Holy  Ghost  is  expressly  called 

God.  For  instance,  what  did  Peter  say  to  Ananias  after  he 
had  lied  to  the  apostle?  Acts  5,  3.  4.  "Peter  said,  'Ananias, 
why  hath  Satan  filled  thine  heart  to  lie  to  the  Holy  Ghost, 
and  to  keep  back  part  of  the  price  of  the  land?  While  it  re- 
mained, was  it  not  thine  own?  and  after  it  was  sold,  was  it  not 
in  thine  own  power?  why  hast  thou  conceived  this  thing  in 
thine  heart?  thou  hast  not  lied   unto  men,  but  unto  God." 

27.  Ananias  had  lied  not  only  to  the  Apostle  Peter,  but  what  ques- 

tion does  the  apostle  put  to  him?  "Ananias,  why  hath  Satan 
filled  thine  heart  to  lie  to  the  Holy  Ghost?" 

28.  In   lying  to   the   Apostle,   Ananias    lied   to   the    Holy   Ghost,   who 

dwelt  in  Peter.  But  wh'it  does  the  apostle  say  about  this 
lie  in  the  last  sentence  of  the  verse?  .  noj  .last  not  lied 
unto  men,  but  unto  God." 

29.  What  then  must  the  Holy  Ghost  be  if  lying  to  Him   is  lying  to 

God?     He  must  be  God. 

30.  Repeat  1  Cor.  3,  16.    "Know  ye  not  that  ye  are  the  temple  of  God, 

and  that  the  Spirit  of  God  dwelleth  in  you?" 

31.  Who  dwells  in  Christians?     The  Spirit  of  God  dwells  in  them. 

32.  What  does   the  apostle  call   Christians  because   of  the   presence 

of  God's  Spirit  in  them?     He  calls  them  the  temple  of  God. 

33.  Because  the  Spirit  of  God  dwells  in  them.   Christians  are  God's 

temple.  Who  then  must  the  Holy  Ghost  be  if  His  indwelling 
makes  people  God's  temple?     He  must  be  God. 

34.  But,  according  to  question  212,  we  find  that  not  only  divine  names, 

but  what  else  is  ascribed  to  the  Holy  Ghost?  Also  divine 
attributes. 

35.  Yes;    and   divine   attributes   belong  to   whom   alone?      Divine    at- 

tributes belong  to  God  alone. 

36.  If  anyone  has  divine  attributes,  who  must  he  be?     He  must  be 

God. 

37.Which  are  the  divine  attributes?  (Question  142)  God  is  eternal, 
omnipotent,  omnipresent,  omniscient,  holy,  righteous,  merci- 
ful  and   truthful. 

38.  Who  alone  has  these  attributes?     God  alone  has  them. 

39.  Who  must  a  person  be  who  has  these  attributes?     He  must  be  God. 

40.  Repeat  Ps.   139,   7-10.     "Whither  shall    I    go  from   thy  Spirit?  or 

whither  shall  I  flee  from  thy  presence?  If  I  ascend  up  into 
heaven,  thou  art  there;  if  I  make  my  bed  in  hell,  behold,  thou 
art  there.  If  I  take  the  wings  of  the  morning,  and  dwell  in 
the  uttermost  parts  of  the  sea;  even  there  shall  thy  hand 
lead  me,  and  thy  right  hand  shall  hold  me." 

41.  Where,   according  to  this  passage   is   the   Spirit  of  God?      He   is 

everywhere. 

4%  Who  must  He  be  if  He  is  everywhere  at  the  same  time?  He 
must  be  God. 

43,  Now  repeat  1  Cor.  2,  10.  "God  hath  revealed  them  unto  us  by 
His  Spirit:  for  the  Spirit  searcheth  all  things,  yea,  the  deep 
things  of  God." 


216  LESSON    63. 

44.     What  is  the  Spirit  of  God  here  said  to  search?     He  searcheth  all 
things. 

4.5.     And   even   what   is   He   said   to   know?      He   searches   and    knows 
even  the  deep  things  of  God. 

46.  And  who  must  He  l)e  if  He  knows  all  things?"    He  must  be  God. 

47.  Read   2   Pet.   1,   21.      "The   holy   men   of   God   spake   as   they   were 

moved  by  the   Holy  Ghost." 

48.  The  holy  men  of  God,  the  prophets  and  apostles,  were  inspired 

by  God.  They  spoke  and  wrote  as  the  Spirit  of  God  moved 
them.  They  said  things  which  they  could  never  have  known 
of  themselves.  They  are  called  men  of  God  because  they 
were  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost.  What  does  this  prove  with 
reference  to  the  Holy  Ghost?  It  proves  that  the  Holy  Ghost 
is  God  . 

49.  Repeat  1  Cor.  12,  11.     "All  these  things  worketh  that  one  and  the 

selfsame  Spirit,  dividing  to  every  man  severally  as  he  will." 

50.  If  the  Spirit  worketh  all  things,  that  is,  if  he  is  almighty,  who 

must  He  be?     He  must  be  God. 

51.  Read  also  Mat.  12,  28.     "But  if  I  cast  out  devils  by  the  Spirit  of 

God,  then  the   kingdom   of  God   is  come  unto  you." 

52.  Through  whom  did  the  Savior  cast  out  devils?     He  cast  them  out 

through  the  Spirit  of  God. 

53.  Who  must  this  Si)irit  be  if  even  the  devils  are  subject  to  Him? 

He  must  be  God. 

54.  Repeat  John  15,  2t;.     "When  the  Comforter  is  come,  whom   I  will 

send  unto  you  from  the  Father,  even  the  Spirit  of  truth,  which 
proceedeth  from  the  ather,  he  shall  testify  of  me." 

55.  What  is  here  said  of  the  Comforter,  the  Spirit  of  truth?     He  pro- 

ceedeth from  the  Father, 

56.  What  kind  of  being  must  He  be  if  He  proceeds  from  the  Father? 

He  must  be  a  divine  being. 

57.  Read  1  John  5,  7.     "There  are  three  that  bear  record   in   heaven, 

the  Father,  the  Word  and  the  Holy  Ghost:  and  these  three 
are   one." 

58.  Here  the  Holy  Ghost  is  placed  on  a  level  with  the  Father  and  the 

Son.  Who  must  He  accordingly  be?  He  must  be  God,  just 
as  they  are  God. 

59.  But  according  to  our  question  212,  the  Holy  Spirit  not  ohly  has 

divine  names  and  attributes,  but  what  kind  of  works  does  He 
do?     He  does  divine  works. 

60.  Yes;   and  this  also  is  a  proof  that  He  is  true  God.     Repeat  Gen. 

1,  2.     "The  Spirit  of  God  moved  upon  the  face  of  the  waters." 

61.  This  is  said  in  connection  with  what  divine  work?     It  is  said   in 

connection  with  the  work  of  creation. 

62.  What  kind  of  person  must  the  Holy  Spirit  be  if  He  was  present  at 

and  took  part  in  the  work  of  creation?  He  must  be  a  divine 
person. 

63.  Repeat  Job   33,   4.     "The    Spirit   of  God    hath    made   me,   and   the 

breath   of  the  Almighty  hath   given   me   life." 


LESSON    64.  217 

64.  What  does  Job  here  say  of  the  Spirit  of  God?     He  says  the  Spirit 

of  God  created  Him. 

65.  Who  must  this  Spirit  be  if  the  divine  work  of  creation  is  ascribed 

to  Him?     He  must  be  God. 

66.  Repeat  .John  3,  5.     "Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  thee,  except  a  man 

be  born  of  water  and  of  the  Spirit,  he  cannot  enter  into  the 
kingdom    of   God." 

67.  Here  the  worlv  of  regeneration  is  ascribed  to  the  Holy  Spirit.     It 

is  by  Him  that  men  are  born  again  through  baptism.  This 
is  a  divine  work;  a  worli  that  God  alone  can  do.  If  now  the 
Holy  Ghost  does  this  work,  who  must  He  be?  He  must  be 
God. 

68.  Repeat  Titus  '.i,  5.     "According  to  His  mercy  He  saved  us,  by  tne 

washing   of  regeneration,  and   renewing  of  the   Holy  Ghost." 

69.  Baptism  is  here  called  a  washing  of  regeneration  and  a  renewing 

of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Who  is  it  then  that  renews  us?  It  is  the 
Holy  Ghost. 

70.  But  who  alone  can  make  new  creatures  of  us?     God  alone  can  do 

this. 

71.  If  then  the  Holy  Ghost  renews  us  who  must  He  be?     He   must 

be   God. 

72.  According  to  our  question  212  the  Holy  Ghost  has  not  only  divine 

names  and  attributes,  and  not  only  performs  divine  works, 
but  what  kind  of  honor  is  given  to  Him?  Divine  honor  rs 
given   Him. 

73.  Read  Mat.  28,  19.     "Go  ye  therefore,  and  teach  all  nations,  baptiz- 

ing them  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of 
the   Holy  Ghost." 

74.  Here  the  Holy  Ghost  is  mentioned  with  and  put  on  the  same  level 

with  the  Father  and  the  Son.  Who  must  He  be  to  deserve 
such  honor?     He  must  be  God. 

75.  From  all  this  we  see  that  the  Holy  Ghost  is  a  divine  person,  that 

He  is  true  God,  with  the  Father  and  the  Son. 


LESSON  64.     CONVERSION. 

(Question  213-218.) 

Of  whom  does  the  tliird  article  of  the  creed  treat?  It  treats  of 
God  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Who  is  the  Holy  Ghost?     He  is  the  third   person   in  the  Trinity. 

(213)  "Why  is  the  third  person  of  the  Godhead  called  the  Holy 
Ghost?"  "Because  in  Holy  Scriptures  the  work  of  sanctifica- 
tion  is  especially  ascribed  to  Him." 

What  work  is  the  special  work  of  the  Holy  Ghost?  The  work  of 
sanctification. 

Repeat  1  for.  6.  11.  "But  ye  are  washed,  hut  ye  are  sanctified, 
but  ye  are  justified  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  by  the 
Spirit  of  our  God." 


218  LESSON    64. 

S.     What  is  the  Holy  Ghost  here  said  to  do  to  Christians?    He  washes, 
and  sanctifies  them. 

I     To  sanctify  means  to  make  clean  and  holy.  From  what  does  the 
Holy  Spirit  cleanse  us?     He  cleanses  us  from  sin. 

8.  (214)     "What  do  you  understand  by  this   sanctification?"     "The 

work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  when  He  calls  me  by  the  Gospel,  en- 
lightens me  with  His  gifts,  and  sanctifies  and  keeps  me  in  the 
true  faith." 

9.  What  then,  is  the  first  thing  which  the  Holy  Ghost  does  in  this 

work  of  sanctification?     He  calls  us  by  the  Gospel. 

10.  What  is  the  Gospel?      (Question   137).     The   Gospel    is  the   glad 

tidings  that  Jesus  Christ  has  saved  us  from  our  sins,  and 
through   faith    makes    us   forever    blessed. 

11.  When  we  hear  these  glad  tidings   concerning  Jesus   Christ   and 

His  blessed  work  of  salvation,  who  is  it  that  is  calling  us? 
it  is  the  Holy  Ghost  that  is  calling  us. 

12.  From  what  does  he  call  us  away  when  we  hear  the  Gospel?     He 

calls  us  away  from  sin. 

13.  We  have  all  strayed  away  from  Him,  and  are  lost.     What  com- 

mand did  the  Savior  give  His  diciples?  Mark  16,  15.  "He 
said  unto  them,  'Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the 
gospel  to  every  creature.'  " 

14.  Unto  whom  does  the  Holy  Ghost  call  us  by  the  Gospel?     He  calls 

us  to  the  Savior. 

15.  What  else  does  He  do  besides  calling  us?     He  enlightens  us  with 

His  gifts. 

16.  We  are  so  ignorant  that,  of  ourselves,  we  could  not  even  imder- 

stand  the  Gospel  when  we  hear  it.  So  what  does  He  do  in 
order  that  in  spite  of  our  blindness  we  may  understand  and 
accept  the  Gospel?     He  enlightens  us  with  His  gifts. 

17.  And  when  we  have  accepted  the  Gospel  by  faith,  what  else  does 

He  do?     He  sanctifies  us. 

18.  That  is,   He  gives  up  willingness  and  power  to  lead  what  kind 

of  a  life-?     To  lead  a  holy  life. 

19.  And  because,  if  left  to  ourselves,  we  should  fall  away  again  from 

the  faith,  what  does  the  Holy  Ghost  do?  He  keeps  us  in  the 
true  faith. 

20.  Who  is  it  that  does  all  this?     It  is  the  Holy  Ghost. 

21.  (215)     "Why  must  the  Holy  Ghost  do  all  this?"     "Because  I  can 

not  by  my  own  reason  or  strength  believe  in  Jesus  Christ, 
my  Lord,  or  come  to   Him." 

22.  Repeat   the   first   sentence   in   Luther's   explanation   of  the   third 

article  of  the  creed.  "I  believe  that  I  cannot  by  my  own 
reason  or  strength  believe  in  Jesus  Christ,  my  Lord,  or  come 
to  Him." 

23.  What  is  necessary  in  order  that  we  may  come  to  our  Lord  Jesus 

Christ,  that  is,  to  be  saved?     We  must  believe  on   Him. 

24.  (216)     Yes,  and  this  we  cannot  do  of  ourselves.     "Why  is  this?" 

"On  account  of  original  sin." 


LESSON    64.  219 

25.  What  is  original  sin?     (Question  126)      It  is  the  utter  depravity 

of  tlie  whole  human  nature,  which,  since  the  fall  of  Adam,  ie 
inborn  in  all  men. 

26.  And   wherein   does   this    depravity   consist?      (Question   127).      In 

this,  that  we  have  lost  the  image  of  God  and,  consequently, 
that  our  reason  is  darkened  and  our  will  perverted. 

27.  According  to   this   answer,   what  effect   has   original   sin   on   our 

reason  or  understanding?     Our  reason  is  darkened. 

28.  That  is,  we  cannot  understand  the  truth  that  is  necessary  to  sal- 

vation. What  does  the  apostle  say  in  1  Cor,  2,  14?  The 
natural  man  receiveth  not  the  things"  of  the  Spirit  of  God; 
for  they  are  foolishness  unto  Him;  neither  can  he  know 
them,  because  they  are  spiritually  discerned. 

29.  As  we  are  by  nature,  the  Gospel  appears  a  foolish  thing.     We  can- 

not understand  it.  But  according  to  question  127  original 
sin  has  not  only  darkened  our  understanding,  but  what  effect 
has  it  on  our  will?     It  has  perverted  our  will. 

30.  What   does    the   apostle    say,    Rom.    8.    7?     "The    carnal    mind    is 

enmity  against  God;  for  it  is  not  subject  to  the  law  of  God, 
neither  can  be." 

31.  By  nature   we   are   at  enmity  with   God.     We  lack  not   only  the 

power  but  also  the  willingness  to  believe  in  Christ.  In  Phil. 
2,  13,  the  apostle  tells  us  how  we  come  to  believe  in  Jesus 
Christ.  Read  the  passage.  "It  is  God  which  worketh  in  you 
both  to  will  and  to  do  of  His  good  pleasure." 

32.  God's  good  pleasure  is  that  we  believe  on  His  son,  Jesus  Christ, 

and  be  saved.  But  where  does  this  faith  come  from?  God 
works  it  in  us. 

33.  (217)     "Whose   then   is   the   work  of   conversion?"     "It   is   solely 

the  gracious  work  of  the  Holy  Ghost." 

34.  Why  do  we  say  it  is  "solely"  the  work  of  the  Holy  Ghost?     Be- 

cause He  does  it  alone. 

35.  And   why  do   we   call   it  a  gracious   work?     Because    His   grace 

moves   Him  to  do  it. 

36.  Yes,  God  owes  us  nothing.     He  would   have  a  perfect  right  to 

let  us  perish  forever  in  our  sins.  But  why  does  He  try  to 
save  us?     Because  He  pities  us. 

37.  Repeat  Jer.   31,   18.     "Turn   thou   me,  and    I    shall    be   turned;    for 

thou  art  the  Lord,  my  God." 

38.  Who  alone  can  turn  us  from  sin  to  righteousness;  from  death  to 

life?     God  the  Holy  Ghost. 

39.  When  we  believe  on  Jesus,  we  call  Him  Lord,  we  acknowledge 

Him  to  be  our  Master,  but  what  does  the  apostle  say  1  Cor. 
12,3?  "No  man  can  say  that  Jesus  is  the  Lord,  but  by  the 
Holy  Ghost." 

40.  Repeat  Col  2,   12.     "Ye  are   risen  with    Him   through  the  faith   of 

the  operation  of  God,  who  hath   raised   Him  from  the  dead." 

41.  What  does  the  apostle  here  say  as  to  the  origin  of  faith?     He 

says  it  is  of  the  operation  of  God. 


220  LESSON   64. 

42.  That  is,   it  is  the  worlt  of  God.     What  does   David  aslc  of  God, 

Ps.  51,10?  "Create  in  me  a  clean  heart,  O  God;  and  renew 
a  right  spirit  within  me." 

43.  Where  must  clean  hearts  come  from?     God  must  create  them. 

44.  Read  also  John  6,  44.    "No  man  can  come  to  me  except  the  Father 

which  hath  sent  me  draw  him;  and  I  will  raise  him  up  at 
the   last   day." 

45.  Also  the  G5fh  verse  of  the  same  chapter.     "Therefore  said  I  unto 

you,  that  no  man  can  come  unto  me,  except  it  were  given 
unto  him  of  my  Father." 

46.  Read   also   Ezech.   3G,   25-27.     "Then    I    will    sprinkle   clean   water 

upon  you,  and  ye  shall  be  clean:  from  ail  your  filthiness,  and 
from  all  your  idols,  will  1  cleanse  you.  A  new  heart  also 
will  I  give  you,  and  a  new  spirit  will  I  put  within  you:  and 
I  will  take  away  the  stony  heart  out  of  your  flesh,  and  I 
will  give  you  a  heart  of  flesh.  And  I  will  put  my  Spirit 
within  you,  and  cause  you  to  walk  in  my  statutes,  and  ye 
shall   keep  my  judgments  and  do  them." 

47.  From    all    these    passages    it    is    clear   that    when    we    believe    in 

Christ  and  are  saved,  we  have  God  to  thank  for  it.  He  be- 
gins, carries  on,  and  finishes  the  work  of  conversion  in  us. 
To  convert  means  to  turn  about,  to  change.  Who  alone  can 
bring  about  this  change  in  us?    God  alone  can  do  it. 

48.  (218)     "What  does  it  mean  to  be  converted,  or  to  repent?"     "It 

means  to  be  contrite  for  one's  sins  and  to  believe  in  Jesus 
Christ." 

49.  How  many  things  ])elong  to  true  conversion,  or  repentance?    Two 

things. 

50.  What  is  the  first?     To  be  contrite  for  one's  sins, 

51.  And  what  is  the  second?     To  believe  in  Jesus  Christ. 

52.  Repeat   Mark    1,  15.     "The   time   is  fulfilled,   and   the   kingdom    of 

God  is  at  hand:    repent  ye,  and  believe  the  gospel." 

53.  When  the  Savior  here  says,  "Repent  ye,  and  believe  the  gospel," 

He   means,   "Be   sorry  for   your  sins   and    believe    in    me." 

54.  Repeat  also  Luke   18,  13.     "The  publican  standing  afar  off,  would 

not  lift  up  so  much  as  his  eyes  unto  heaven  but  smote  upon 
his    breast,   saying,     'God    be   merciful   to   me   a   sinner.'" 

55.  Here  we  have  an  example  of  true  repentance.     How  did  the  poor 

publican  feel  about  his  sins?     He  felt  sorry. 

5G.     And  yet  what  did  he  ask  and  hope  for?     He  asked  and  hoped  for 
mercy. 

57.  In   Luke   15,  11-32   we   are   told  the   parable  of   the   prodigal   son. 

How  did  this  poor  boy  feel  about  his  sins?  He  felt  sorr^y 
for  them. 

58.  And  what  did  he  ask  for  when  he  came  home?     He  asked  for  for- 

giveness. 

59.  What  must  he  have  believed  with  reference  to  his  father?     That 

he  would  forgive  him. 

iiO.     No  man  is  truly  converted  who  loves  sin.     But  how  does  the  truly 
converted  man  regard  sin?     He  is  sorry  for  it  and  hates  it. 


LESSON    65.  221 

61.  Tell  me  how  did  the  apostle  Peter  show  that  he  was  sorry  for 

the  great  sin  of  denying  the  Savior?  (Mat.  26,  75.)  "He 
went  out  and  wept  bitterly." 

62.  And  yet  Peter  did  not  despair.     He  hoped  for  and  received  for- 

giveness. In  this  respect  he  differed  from  Judas.  He,  too, 
was  sorry  that  he  had  betrayed  the  Lord.  But  still  he  was 
not  a  converted  man.     What  did  he  lack?     He   lacked  faith. 

63.  Yes,  he  did  not  believe  that  his  sin  could  be  forgiven.     His  sor- 

row drove  him  to  despair.  So  what  are  the  two  things  which 
belong  to  true  conversion,  or  repentance?  Sorrow  for  sin 
and  faith  in  Christ. 


LESSON   65.     CONTRITION  AND  FAITH. 
(Question   219-220.) 

1.  Repeat  the  Third   Article  of  the   Creed.     "I    believe   in   the    Holy 

Gho§t,"  etc. 

2.  What    does    this    mean?      "I    believe    that    I    cannot    by    my    own 

reason    and    strength    believe    in    Jesus    Christ    my    Lord    or 
come  to   Him,"  etc. 

.3.     What  is  necessary  in  order  that  we  poor  sinners  may  be  saved? 
We  must  believe  in  Jesus  Christ. 

4.  Who  works  this  faith  in  our  hearts?     The  Holy  Ghost. 

5.  This  work  of  the  Holy  Ghost  we  call  conversion  or  repentance. 

In  our  last  lesson  we  learned  how  many  parts  belong  to  re- 
pentance.    Can  you  tell  me?     Repentance  has  two  parts. 

6.  What  are  they?     Sorrow  for  sin   and  faith   in   Christ. 

7.  By  what  word  do  we  express  this  sorrow  for  sin?  (218)      By  the 

word  contrition. 

8.  (219)      "What    is    contrition?"      "Contrition    is    the    sorrow    of   the 

heart  for  sin." 

9.  What  does  it  mean  to  be  contrite?     To  be  contrite  means  to  be 

sorry. 

10.  This  we  learn  from  Psalm  51,17:      "The  sacrifices  of  God  are  a 

broken   spirit:    a   broken   and   a  contrite   heart,   O  God,  Thou 
wilt  not  despise." 

11.  What  kind  of  heart  then  is  pleasing  to  God?     A  contrite   heart. 

12.  The  heart  that  is  pleasing  to  God  is  here  described  not  only  as 

a  contrite  heart  but  what  else  is  said  of  it?     It  is  called  a 
broken  heart. 

13.  What  is  it  on  account  of  which  our  hearts  should  be  so  broken 

up  and  sorrowful?     On  account  of  sin. 

II.     How  does  God  regard  sin?     It  offends  Him.     He  hates  it. 

15.  God  has  been  kind  and  good  to  us,  and  when  we  learn  that  by  our 
sins  we  have  grieved  and  offended  Him,  how  should  we  feel 
al)Out  it?     We  should  fee!  sorry. 


222  LESSON  65. 

16.  Yes,  it  is  an  awful  thing  that  instead  of  pleasing  we  have  offended 

God.    And  what  have  we  deserved  by  our  sins?     We  have  de- 
. served  punishment. 

17.  What  has  God  threatened  to  do  with  sin?     He  has  threatened  to 

punish   it. 

18.  Repeat  what  God  says  in  the  conclusion  of  tlie  Ten  Command- 

ments. "I,  the  Lord  thy  God,  am  a  jealous  God,  visiting  the 
iniquities  of  the  fathers  upon  the  children  unto  the  third 
and  fourth  generation  of  them  that  hate  me,  and  showing 
mercy  unto  thousands  of  them  that  love  me  and  keep  my 
commandments." 

19.  What  does  this  mean?     "God  threatens  to  punish  all  those  who 

transgress  his  commandments,  therefore  we  should  fear  His 
wrath." 

20.  That  will  do.     Stop  here,  and  tell  me:  what  does  God  threaten  to 

do  with  those  who  transgress  His  commandments?  He  has 
threatened  to  punish  them. 

21.  Tell  me  when  did  God  once  punish  the  whole  world  on  account  of 

sin?     At  the  time  of  the  flood. 

22.  What  two  specially  godless  cities  did  God  once  punish  on  account 

of  sin?     The  cities  of  Sodom  and  Gomorrah. 

23.  So  God  punishes  sin  in  this  world,  but  he  also  punishes  it  in  the 

world  to  come.  What  is  said  of  the  wicked  in  Mat.  25,  46? 
"These  shall  go  away  into  everlasting   punishment." 

24.  God  punishes  sin  both  in  this  world  and  in  the  world  to  come. 

Sin  brings  misery  and  death.  When  we  learn  and  exper- 
ience this,  how  should  we  feel  about  our  sins?  We  should 
feel  sorry  on  account  of  them. 

25.  Not  all  people  are  sorry  for  sin.     Some  take  pleasure  in  sin,  ami 

even  boast  of  it.  But  what  does  God  say  Is.  66,  2.?  The 
second  part  of  the  verse.  "To  this  man  will  I  look,  even  to 
him  that  is  poor  and  of  a  contrite  spirit,  and  trembleth  at 
my  word." 

26.  Read  also  Joel  2,  12.   13.     "Therefore  also   now,  saith   the    Lord, 

turn  ye^even  to  me  with  all  your  heart,  and  with  fasting,  and 
with  weeping,  and  with  mourning:  and  rend  your  heart,  and 
not  your  garments,  and  turn  unto  the  Lord  your  God:  for 
He  is  gracious  and  merciful,  slow  to  anger,  and  of  great 
kindness,  and   repenteth   Him  of  the  evil." 

27.  David  had  sinned  against  God.     How  he  felt  about  his  sins  we 

see  from  Psalm  38.  Let  us  read  it.  "O  Lord  rebuke  me 
not,"  etc. 

28.  Let  us  also  read  Psalm  130.     "Out  of  the  depths,"  etc. 

29.  Can  you  give  me  another  example  of  one  who  was  sorry  for  his 

sins?     The  publican   in  the  temple. 

30.  What  did  the  prodigal   son  say  to  his   father  when  he  returned 

from  a  life  of  sin  and  shame?  Luke  15,  21.  "Father,  I  have 
sinned  against  heaven  and  before  thee,  and  am  no  more 
worthy  to  be  called  thy  son. 

"11.     How  did  Peter  sin  against  the  Savior  during  His  trial  before  the 
High  Priest?     He  denied  the  Savior. 


LESSON    65.  223 


32.  How  did  he  feel  about  this  sin  afterward  when  the  Savior  looked 

upon  him?     He  went  out  and  wept  bitterly. 

33.  But   true   repentance   means   more   than   sorrow   for   sin.     Which 

other  disciple  had  also  shamefully  sinned  against  the  Lord? 
Judas,  who  betrayed   Him. 

34.  He  also  afterwards  felt  sorry  for  what  he  had  done,  as  we  see 

from  Mat.  27,  3-5.  "Then  Judas,  which  had  betrayed  Him, 
when  he  saw  that  He  was  condemned,  repented  himself  and 
brought  again  the  thirty  pieces  of  silver  to  the  chief  priests 
and  elders,  saying,  I  have  sinned  in  that  I  have  betrayed  the 
innocent  blood.  And  they  said,  what  is  that  to  us?  .See 
thou  to  that.  And  he  cast  down  the  pieces  of  silver  in  the 
temple   and  departed,   and   went  and   hanged   himself." 

35.  Mere  sorrow  is  not  repentance.     What  else  does  true  repentance 

imply  besides  sorrow  for  sin?     It  also  implies  faith  in  Christ. 

36.  (220)      "What  is  faith?"    "Faith  is  the  confidence  of  the  heart  that 

we  through  Christ  have  forgiveness  of  sin  and  a  gracious  God." 

37.  This  is  what  Judas  lacked.    He  had  no  confidence  in  God,  no  hope 

of  forgiveness.  Contrition  is  sorrow,  but  what  is  faith? 
Faith   is  confidence. 

38.  Contrition  is  sorrow  of  the  heart,  but  what  is  faith?     Faith  is  the 

confidence  of  the   heart. 

39.  Both  parts  of  repentance  then  are  found  where?     They  are  found 

in  the  heart. 

40.  Yes,  our  hearts  must  be  right  with  God.    And  what  two  things  are 

necessary  in  order  that  our  hearts  may  be  right  with  God? 
Sorrow  and  confidence. 

41.  Repeat  Heb.   11,  1.     "Now  faith   is  the  substance  of  things  hoped 

for,  and  the  evidence  of  things  not  seen." 

42.  What  kind  of  things  does  faith  deal  with?     It  deals  with   things 

not  seen. 

43.  Yes,  and   it   means   confidence   in   these   things.     It   lays   hold   of 

God's  promises  and  trusts  in  them.  What  has  God  promised 
with  reference  to  our  sins?  He  has  promised  to  forgive 
them. 

44.  Through    whom    may    we    hope    for    this    forgiveness?      Through 

Christ. 

45.  "Through  Christ"  means  for  His  sake,  and  by  faith  in  Him.    What 

did  Christ  do  that  God  should  forgive  our  sins  through  Him? 
He  suffered  and  died  for  us. 

46.  Yes,  and  now  what  is  God  willing  to  do  for  the  sake  of  the  suf- 

ferings and  death  of  Christ?     To  forgive  our  sins. 

47.  God  is  a  holy  and  righteous  God,  who  has  threatened  to  punish 

sin,  but  according  to  our  question  220  He  is  also  what?  He 
is  also  gracious. 

48.  And  because  He  is  a  gracious  God  and  because  Christ  has  borne 

the  punishment  for  our  sins  what  may  we  hope  for?  We 
may  hope  that  God  will  forgive  our  sins. 


224  LESSON  66. 

49.  And  this  confidence  is  tlie  cliief  tiling  in  repentance.     Only  then 

are  our  hearts  right  with  God  when  we  have  this  confidence. 
This  we  see  from  Mark  16,  15.  16.  "He  said  unto  them,  go 
ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  crea- 
ture, He  that  believeth  and  is  baptized  shall  be  saved;  he 
that  believeth  not  shall  be  damned." 

50.  What   is   this   Gospel   which   the   apostles   were  to   preach   to   ail 

the  world?  It  is  the  glad  tidings  that  Jesus  Christ  has  saved 
us  from  our  sins  and  through  faith  makes  us  forever  blessed. 

51.  What  is  the'  blessed  result  when  we  believe  this  Gospel?     We  are 

saved. 

52.  The  same  is  taught  .John  3,  16.     "God  so  loved  the  world  that  He 

gave  his  only  begotten  Son  that  whosoever  believeth  in  Him 
shall   not  perish   but  have  everlasting   life." 

53.  Who  accordingly  shall  be  saved?     He  that  believes  on  Jesus. 

54.  He  that  believes  on  Jesus  and  is  baptized  in  His  name  is  truly 

converted.  Read  also  Rom.  8.  3.  4.  "What  the  law  could  not 
do,  in  that  it  was  weak  through  the  flesh,  God  sending  his 
own  Son  in  the  likeness  of  sinful  flesh,  and  for  sin,  con- 
demned sin  in  the  flesh:  That  the  righteousness  of  the  law 
might  be  fulfilled  in  us,  who  walk  not  after  the  flesh,  but 
after   the    Spirit. 

55.  Now   also   read   Rom.    10,   4.      "Christ    is   the   end    of   the    law   for 

righteousness  to  every  one  that   believeth." 

56.  When  we  believe  on  Christ  we  are  righteous  before  God,  that  is, 

our  hearts  stand  right  with  Him.  Repeat  2  Tim.  1,  12.  Latter 
half  of  the  verse.  "I  know  whom  I  have  believed  and  am 
persuaded  that  He  is  able  to  keep  that  which  I  have  com- 
mitted  unto   Him  against  that  day." 

57.  Thus  faith  in  the  person  and  work  of  the  Savior  saves  us.     In 

this  faith  we  can  cheerfully  await  the  judgment  day.  Read 
also  Rom,  8,  38.  39.  "I  am  persuaded,  that  neither  death, 
nor  life,  nor  angels,  nor  principalities,  nor  powers,  nor  things 
present,  nor  things  to  come,  nor  height  nor  depth,  nor  any 
jther  creature,  shall  be  able  to  separate  us  from  the  love 
of  God,  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord." 

58.  This  faith  in  Christ  is  what  converts  a  man,  turns  him  about,  and 

changes  his  whole  life.  It  makes  a  new  man  out  of  him.  It 
sets  him  right  with  God,  changes  his  whole  spirit  and  dispo- 
sition not  only  toward  God  but  also  toward  men.  But  this 
faith  can  not  exist  in  a  heart  that  loves  and  delights  in  sin, 
but  rather  only  in  what  kind  of  heart?  In  a  heart  that  is 
sorry  for  sin. 

59.  Therefore,  what  two  things  l)elong  to  true  repentance  or  conver- 

sion?    Sorrow  for  sin  and  faith   in   Christ. 


LESSON  66.     THE  ORDER  OF  SALVATION. 

Question  221-224. 

1.  Of  whom  does  the  third  article  of  the  Creed  treat?     It  treats  of 

the   Holy  Ghost. 

2.  What  is  the  special  work  of  God  the  Holy  Ghost?     The  work  ot 

sanctification. 


LESSON  66.  225 

3.  Yes,  or  the  work  of  conversion.     What  two  things  belong  to  con- 

conversion  or  repentance?    Sorrow  for  sin  and  faith  in  Christ. 

4.  Why  should  we  be  sorry  for  sin?     Because  it  offends  God  and  de- 

serves punishment. 

5.  The  second  part  of  conversion  is  faith  in  Christ.     What  are  we 

to  believe  concerning  Christ?  We  are  to  believe  that  He  is 
the  Son  of  God  and  the  Savior  of  the  world. 

6.  Who  is  it  that  works  in  our  hearts  this  sorrow  for  sin  and  faith 

in  Christ?     It  is  God  the  Holy  Ghost. 

7.  (221)    "Through  what  means  does  the  Holy  Ghost  work  all  this 

in  us?"  "Through  the  Word  of  God  and  the  Holy  Sacraments." 

8.  God  works  through  means.    Who  gave  us  life?     God  gave  us  life. 

9.  This  He  did  through  our  parents.     Who  preserves  our  life?     God 

preserves  our  life. 

10.  And  this  also  He  does  through  means.     What  does  God   supply 

us  with  in  order  to  preserve  life?  He  supplies  us  with  food, 
clothing  and  shelter. 

11.  Now  just  as  God  works  through  means  in  the  natural  world,  so 

He  also  works  through  means  in  the  spiritual  world.  From 
Rom.  10,  17,  we  learn  how  God  works  faith  in  our  hearts. 
Repeat  the  passage.  "So  then  faith  cometh  by  hearing,  and 
hearing  by  the  word  of  God." 

12.  Here  we   are   told   that   by   hearing  the   Word   of   God  men   are 

brought  to  faith.  So  what  must  we  do  if  we  would  come  to 
faith  and  be  saved?    We  must  hear  the  Word  of  God. 

13.  But  we  must  not  only  hear  it  with  our  bodily  ears.    We  must  take 

this  Word  to  heart,  as  we  see  from  lAike  11:28.  "Blessed  are 
they  that  hear  the  Word  of  God  and  keep  it." 

14.  This  is   how   the   Galatians   came  to   be  Christians,   as  we   learn 

from  Gal.  3,  2.  "This  only  would  1  learn  of  you,  received  ye 
the  Spirit  by  the  works  of  the  law,  or  by  the  hearing  of  faith?" 

15.  On  the  great  day  of  Pentecost  3000  became  believers  and  were 

added  to  the  church.  What  had  this  multitude  listened  to 
on  that  day?  Acts  2:14.  They  had  listened  to  the  preaching 
of  the  Gospel. 

16.  And   how   did    they   receive    this    preaching?     Acts    2:41?      They 

received   it  gladly. 

17.  In  1  Peter  1:23  the  Word  of  God  is  called  a  living  and  life-giving 

seed.  Read  the  passage.  "Being  born  again,  not  of  corrupt- 
ible seed,  but  of  incorruptible,  by  the  Word  of  God  which 
liveth   and   abideth   forever." 

18.  The  Savior  himself  in  the  parable  of  the  sower  calls  the  Word  of 

God  a  seed  as  we  see  from  Luke  8:11.  "Now  the  parable  is 
this,  the  seed  is  the  Word  of  God." 

19.  But  God  has  other  means  of  working  faith  in  the  hearts  of  men. 

He  does  it  not  only  through  the  Word  of  God  but  according  to 
question  221  through  what  other  means?  Through  the  holy 
sacraments. 

20.  Especially  through  Holy  Baptism,  as  we  see  from  Titus   3:5,   fi. 

"Not  by  works  of  righteousness  which  we  have  done,  but 
according  to  his  mercy  he  saved  us,  by  the  washing  of  re- 
generation, and  renewing  of  the   Holy  Ghost." 

15 


226  LESSON  66. 

21.  What  is  this  washing  of  regeneration  through  whicli  God  works 

faith  in  us  and  saves  us?     It  is  holy  Baptism. 

22.  This  is  especially  the  case  with  little  children.     They  can  not  be 

reached  by  the  preaching  of  the  Word  of  God,  for  they  can 
not  understand  it.  So  what  means  does  God  use  to  work 
faith  in  them?     He  uses  Holy  Baptism. 

23.  Read  also  1  Cor.  12:13.     "For  by  one  Spirit  are  we  all   baptized 

into  one  body,  whether  we  be  Jews  or  Gentiles,  whether  we 
be  bond  or  free;  and  have  been  all  made  to  drink  into  one 
Spirit." 

24.  (222)     "How  manifold  is  the  work  of  the  Holy  Ghost  described  in 

the  third  article?"  "Fourfold:  He  calls  and  gathers,  en- 
lightens, sanctifies  and   keeps  us." 

25.  The  calling  and  gathering  are  here  taken  together.     What  then 

is  the  first  thing  which  the  Holy  Ghost  does  in  order  to  work 
faith  in  our  hearts?     He  calls  and  gathers  us. 

26.  That   is,    He   calls    us   together.     Repeat   the   explanation   of   the 

third  article  of  the  creed.  "I  believe  that  I  can  not  by  my 
own  reason  or  strength  believe  in  Jesus  Christ  my  Lord,  or 
come  to  Him.  .But  the  Holy  Ghost  has  called  me  by  the 
Gospel"  etc. 

27.  What  is  the  first  work  of  the  Holy  Ghost  here  mentioned?     He 

calls  me  by  the  Gospel. 

28.  And  a  little  further  on,  what  is  said  of  this  calling?    "Even  as  He 

calls,  gathers,  enlightens,  and  sanctifies  the  whole  Christian 
Church    on   earth." 

29.  How  does  the  Holy  Ghost  call  you?     He  calls  me  by  the  Gospel. 

30.  When  we  hear  the  Gospel  preached,  whose  voice  is  this  calling  us? 

It  is  the  voice  of  God  the  Holy  Ghost. 

31.  When  a  child  is  running  away  from  its  mother  into  danger  what 

will  the  mother  do?    She  will  call  the  child. 

32.  When  a  hen  sees  her  chicks  in  danger,  what  will  she  do?     She 

will  call  them  together. 

33.  (223)     "How  does  the  Holy  Ghost  call  and  gather  us?"    "He  offers 

us  the  grace  of  God  and  gives  us  power  to  accept  it  in  faith, 
by  which  we  become  members  of  the  Christian  Church." 

34.  What   does   the   Holy   Ghost   offer  us  when  we   hear  the   Gospel 

preached?     He  offers  us  the  grace  of  God. 

35.  We  are  all  poor  sinners  before  God  and  what  have  we  deserved  by 

our  sins?     We  have  deserved  God's  punishment. 

36.  Now  instead  of  punishing  us  as  we  deserve,  what  does  God  offer 

us?    He  offers  us  his  grace. 

37.  That  is,  what  does  he  offer  to  do  with  our  sins  instead  of  punish- 

ing them?     He  offers  to  forgive  them. 

38.  For  whose  sake  does  God  offer  to  forgive  our  sins?     For  Christ's 

sake. 

39.  What  did  Christ  do  that  God  should  offer  us  forgiveness  for  His 

sake?     He  suffered  and  died  for  us. 

40.  But  the  Holy  Ghost  not  only  offers  us  the  grace  of  God  but  what 

else  does  He  do?     He  gives  us  power  to  accept  it  in  faith. 


LESSON  66.  227 

41.  How  are  we  to  accept  this  grace  oi'  God?     We  are  to  accept  it  in 

faith, 

42.  But  of  ourselves  we  could  not  believe  that  God  is  willing  to  for- 

give sin.  Either  we  think  we  need  no  forgiveness  or  that 
there  is  no  forgiveness.  Now  what  does  the  Holy  Ghost  do 
in  order  that  we  may  believe  that  God  is  gracious  and  for- 
gives sin?     He  gives  us  the  power  to  believe  it. 

43.  With  the  call  comes  the  power.    When  Jesus  called  Lazarus  from 

the  dead  what  power  did  He  give  him  with  that  call?  The 
power  to  come  forth. 

44.  Now  repeat  2  Tim.  1:9.     "Who  hath  saved  us  and  called  us  with 

an  holy  calling,  not  according  to  our  works,  but  according 
to  his  own  purpose  and  grace,  which  was  given  us  in  Christ 
Jesus  before  the  world  began." 

45.  Repeat  also  1  Peter  2:9.    "But  ye  are  a  chosen  generation,  a  royal 

priesthood,  an  holy  nation,  a  peculiar  people;  that  ye  should 
shew  forth  the  praises  of  Him  who  hath  called  you  out  of 
darkness  into  his  marvelous  light." 

46.  What  has  God  called  us  out  of?     He  has  called  us  out  of  darkness. 

47.  Yes,  out  of  the  darkness  of  ignorance  and  sin.     Into  what  has  He 

called  us?     Into  His  marvelous  light. 

48.  Light  here  means  the  knowledge  of  the  truth  of  the  Gospel.     But 

not  all  men  obey  this  call.  Some  close  their  eyes  and  hearts 
against  the  call.  As  we  see  from  Mat.  23:37.  "O  Jerusalem, 
Jerusalem,  thou  that  killest  the  prophets,  and  stonest  them 
which  are  sent  unto  thee,  how  often  would  I  have  gathered 
thy  children  together,  even  as  a  hen  gathereth  her  chickens 
under  her  wings,  and  ye  would  not." 

49.  The  wicked  people  of  Jerusalem  were  called  by  the  Savior,  but 

what  was  the  result?    They  would  not  come. 

T,0.  O,  let  us  beware  lest  we  close  our  ears  and  hearts  when  Gorl 
calls.  In  Mat.  22,  1-14  we  have  the  parable  of  the  marriage 
of  the  king's  son.  The  guests  were  called,  that  is,  invited  to 
the  marriage  but  what  was  the  result?  Verse  .5.  "But  they 
made  light  of  it,  and  went  their  ways,  one  to  his  farm,  an- 
other to  his  merchandise." 

'A.  So  we  see  the  great  majority  of  men  today  closing  their  hearts 
to  the  call  of  God.  They  will  not  come  and  be  saved.  Even 
in  the  Old  Testament  God  had  to  complain  of  this.  Read 
Isaiah  65,  2.  "I  have  spread  out  my  hands  all  the  day  unto  a 
rebellious  people,  which  walketh  in  a  way  that  was  not  good, 
after  their  own  thoughts." 

'■2.  Let  us  see  how  the  Savior  represents  himself  in  Rev.  3,  20.  "Be- 
hold I  stand  at  the  door  and  knock:  if  any  man  hear  my  voice, 
and  open  the  door,  I  will  come  in  to  him  and  will  sup  with 
him,  and  he  with   me." 

.':'.  Evei-y  time  you  hear  the  Gospel  preached  it  is  the  voice  of  God 
calling  you  away  from  sin  unto  righteousness.  And  though 
by  nature  we  are  inclined  to  look  upon  this  as  foolishness, 
yet  C!ud  gives  us  the  power  to  believe  it.  Let  us  use  this 
power  and  thus  accept  Ihe  grace  of  God  by  faith.  And  what 
do  we  become  by  such  faith?  We  become  members  of  the 
Christian  Church. 


228  LESSON  67. 


54.  How  then  do  we  become  members  of  the  Christian  Church?     By 

believing  the  Gospel. 

55.  So  the  Holy  Ghost  calls  and  gathers  us:  that  is,  brings  us  together 

as  a  company  of  believers.  But  what  else  does  the  Holy 
Ghost  do  besides  calling  and  gathering"  us?  He  enlightens 
us  with  his  gifts. 

56.  (224)     "How  does   the  Holy  Ghost   enlighten  us?"     "He   kindles 

faith  in  our  hearts,  so  that  we  know  Jesus  Christ  as  our 
Savior." 

57.  When  a  room  is  dark  what  must  be  done  if  you  would  see?     We 

must  light  a  candle. 

58.  So  by  nature  our  hearts  are  dark  in  spiritual  things.     We  do  not 

know  the  way  of  life.  Now  what  is  the  light  that  must  be 
kindled  in  our  hearts?     Faith  is  this  light. 

59.  And  who  kindles  this  light  of  faith  in  our  hearts?     God  the  Holy 

Ghost. 

60.  And  whom  do   we  learn  to  know   by  faith?     We   learn  to   know 

Christ. 

61.  As  what  do  we  learn  to  know  Him?     We  learn  to  know  Him  as 

our  Savior. 

62.  Repeat  2  Cor.  4:6.     "For  God  who  commanded  the  light  to  shine 

out  of  darkness,  hath  shined  in  our  hearts,  to  give  the  light 
of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God  in  the  face  of  Jesus 
Christ." 

63.  Read  also  2  Cor.  4,  3-4.    "But  if  our  Gospel  be  hid,  it  is  hid  to  them 

that  are  lost:  in  whom  the  god  of  this  world  hath  blinded 
the  minds  of  them  which  believe  not,  lest  the  light  of  the 
Gospel  of  Christ,  who  is  the  image  of  God,  should  shine 
unto  them." 

64.  Also  Acts   26,   18.     "To   open   their   eyes,   and   to   turn   them   from 

darkness  to  light,  and  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto  God, 
that  they  may  receive  forgiveness  of  sins,  and  inheritance 
among  them  which  are  sanctified  by  faith  that  is  in  me." 

65.  So  the  tToly  Ghost  opens  our  eyes  to   see  and   know  the  truth. 

But  in  spite  of  all  this  some  men  remain  willfully  blind.  In 
them  is  fulfilled  the  old  adage:  "There  are  none  so  blind  as 
those  who  will  not  see."  And  the  other:  "Convince  a  man 
against  his  will  and  he  is  of  the  same  opinion  still." 


LESSON  67.     SANCTIFICATION. 

Question  225. 

We  have  seen  that  it  is  God  the  Holy  Ghost  who  works  faith  in 
our  hearts.  He  does  this  through  the  Word  of  God  and  the 
holy  sacraments.  Can  you  tell  me  from  the  explanation  of 
the  Third  Article  what  different  things  the  Holy  Ghost  does 
in  order  to  bring  us  to  faith  and  save  us?  He  calls  us  by 
the  Gospel,  enlightens  us  by  his  gifts,  sanctifies  and  keeps  us 
in  the  true  faith. 

What  do  we  call  this  whole  work  of  the  Holy  Ghost?     We  call  it 
the  work  of  Sanctification, 


LESSON  67.  229 

3.  Here  the  word  "sanctification"  is  used  to  express  the  whole  work 

of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  yet  we  find  that  in  the  explanation 
of  the  Third  Article  this  word  "sanctification"  is  used  to 
express  one  particular  part  of  the  work  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
The  same  word  is  used  in  a  twofold  sense,  the  wider  and  the 
narrower.  In  the  wider  sense  it  includes  everything  that  the 
Holy  Ghost  does  to  bring  and  keep  us  in  the  faith,  as  these 
things  are  set  forth  in  the  explanation  of  the  Third  Article. 
For  of  what  does  the  Third  Article  treat?  The  third  article 
treats  of  Sanctification. 

4.  But  in  the  narrower  sense  it  means  only  one  particular  part  of 

this  work.  After  we  say  in  the  explanation  in  the  catechism 
that  the  Holy  Ghost  calls,  gathers  and  enlightens  us,  what 
else  do  we  say  He  does?     He  sanctifies  us. 

5.  That  is  He  makes  us  holy.     What  does  it  mean  to  sanctify?     It 

means  to  make  holy. 

6.  Read  what  is  written  Acts  15.  8-9.     "And  God  which  knoweth  the 

hearts,  bare  them  witness,  giving  them  the  Holy  Ghost,  even 
as  He  did  unto  us;  and  put  no  difference  between  us  and 
them,  purifying  their  hearts  by  faith." 

7.  Accordingly  what  does  the  Holy  Ghost  do  by  faith?     He  purifies 

our  hearts  by  faith. 

8.  What  other  word  then  could  you  use  instead  of  the  word  sanctify? 

The  word  purify. 

9.  We  have   seen   that  the  Holy   Ghost   works  faith   in  our   hearts, 

now  we  will  see  the  results  of  this  faith  in  our  lives.  If 
you  light  a  candle  in  a  dark  room  what  will  be  the  result? 
It  will  be  light. 

10.  If  you  kindle  a  fire  in  a  cold  room  what  will  be  the  result?     It 

will  get  warm. 

11.  Faith  is  such  a  light  and  such  a  fire.     What  does  it  do  with  our 

hearts  and  lives?     It  lights  and  warms  them. 

12.  Faith    may    also   be    compared   to   a   tree.      So   the    Savior   says 

Mat.  7:17-18.  "Even  so  every  good  tree  bringeth  forth  good 
fruit;  but  a  corrupt  tree  bringeth  forth  evil  fruit.  .A  good 
tree  cannot  bring  forth  evil  fruit,  neither  can  a  corrupt  tree 
bring  forth  good  fruit." 

13.  By  faith  in  Christ  we  are  made  good  trees,  and  what  must  a  good 

tree  bring  forth?     A  good  tree  must  bring  forth  good  fruit. 

14.  Faith  is  something  that  can  not  be  hidden.     It  shows  itself.     We 

cannot  see  faith,  but  we  can  see  its  results.  We  cannot  see 
the  life  of  a  tree  but  we  can  see  the  results  of  this  life.  And 
what  are  these?     Its  fruits, 

15.  Repeat  Gal.  5:6.     "In   Jesus  Christ  neither  circumcision  availeth 

anything,  nor  uncircumcision;  but  faith  which  worketh  by 
love." 

IG.     What  is  here  said  of  faith?     It  worketh  by  love. 

17.  The  faith  which  saves  us  is  not  a  dead  thing  but  a  new  life  in  us. 

It  changes  our  whole  lives,  it  sanctifies,  that  is,  it  purifies  and 
makes  us  holy.  How  can  you  tell  whether  a  man  is  alive  or 
dead?     A   live  man  will   breathe. 

18.  Yes.    And  what  else  will  he  do?     He  will  move  and  act. 


230  LESSON  67. 

19.  So  faith  shows  itself  in  works.     So  the  apostle  St.  James  says, 

chapter  2,  verses  17  and  18.  "Even  so  faith,  if  it  hath  not 
works,  is  dead,  being  alone.  .Yea,  man  may  say,  thou  hast 
faith,  and  I  have  works:  shew  me  thy  faith  without  thy 
works,  and    I   will   shew  thee  my  faith  by  my  works." 

20.  How   does    faith   shew   itself  according   to   this    passage?      Faith 

shows  itself  by  works. 

21.  (225)     "How  does  the  Holy  Ghost  sanctify  us?"     "Through  faith 

he  gives  us  delight  in  holy  or  good  works,  and  power  to  do 
them." 

22.  Sanctification  is  a  result  of  faith.    A  man  cannot  believe  in  Christ 

and  still  take  pleasure  in  sin.  How  does  a  man  feel  over  sin 
when  he  is  a  believer  in  Christ?     He  feels  sorry  for  it. 

23.  If  he  feels  sorry  for  sin  he  can  not  love  it,  but  how  does  he  feel 

toward  it?     He  hates  it. 

24.  He  hates  sin,  and  what  does  he  love?     He  loves  what  is  right. 

25.  That  is,   he  loves   righteousness.     According  to   our   answer   225 

what  does  the  Holy  Ghost  give  us  through  faith?  He  gives 
us  delight  in  holy  and  good  works. 

26.  When  a  man  has  faith  what  does  he  delight  or  take  pleasure  in? 

He  takes  pleasure  in  holy  or  good  works. 

27.  By  nature  what  do  we  delight  in?     We  delight  in  sin — evil  works. 

28.  Through  faith  the  Holy  Ghost  brings  about  a  wonderful  change  in 

us.  We  love  what  we  hated  before,  and  we  hate  what  we 
loved  before  we  were  Christians.  Faith  is  not  a  mere 
matter  of  the  intellect,  but  a  matter  of  the  heart.  Take  St. 
Paul  as  an  example.  Before  he  was  a  Christian,  how  did  he 
regard  the  Savior?     He  hated  and  despised  Him. 

29.  And  how  did  he  behave  toward  Christians?     He  persecuted  them. 

80.     But  after  he  became  a  believer  how  did  he  regard  the  Savior? 
He  loved  Him  and  served   Him. 

31.  And    how    did    he    behave    towards    Christians?      He    loved    and 

served  them. 

32.  How  did  he  spend  the  rest  of  his  life  after  he  was  converted  to 

Christ?  He  spent  it  preaching  the  Gospel  and  serving  the 
Lord. 

33.  Think  of  Zaccheus,  the  publican.     Before  his  conversion  he  was 

dishonest,  but  after  he  was  converted  to  Christ  what  did  he 
say?  Luke  19,  8.  "And  Zaccheus  stood,  and  said  unto  the 
Lord;  Behold,  Lord,  the  half  of  my  goods  I  give  to  the  poor; 
and  if  I  have  taken  anything  from  any  man  by  false  accusa- 
tion,  I   return   him  fourfold." 

34.  Before  a  man  believes  on  Christ  he  may  have  been  a  drunkard. 

but  after  he  becomes  a  Christian  how  does  he  regard  this 
vice?     He  hates  it  and  fights  against  It. 

35.  Before  a  man  believes  on  the  Savior  he  may  have  delighted  in 

lying  and  deceiving  but  after  he  becomes  a  Christian  how 
does  he  regard  such  things?     He  hates  them. 

30.  And  on  the  contrary  what  does  he  love?     He  loves  what  is  honest, 

truthful  and  upright. 


LKSSON  67.  281 

37.  What  is  written  in  the  first  Phalm,  in  the  first  and  second  verses, 

concerning  the  righteous  man;  that  is,  the  true  believer? 
"Blessed  is  the  man  that  walketh  not  in  the  council  of  the 
ungodly,  nor  standeth  in  the  way  of  sinners,  nor  sitteth  in 
the  seat  of  the  scornful.  But  his  delight  is  in  the  law  of  the 
Lord;  and  in  His  law  doth  he  meditate  day  and  night." 

38.  But  the  Holy  Ghost,  through  faith,  not  only  gives  us  pleasure  in 

holy  and  good  worlvs,  but  according  to  our  answer  what  else 
does  he  give  us?     He  also  gives  us  power  to  do  them. 

39.  By  nature  we  have  neither  the  desire  nor  the  power  to  do  any- 

thing good.  We  have  not  the  desire  and  even  if  we  had,  we 
have  not  the  power.  But  the  Holy  Ghost  makes  new  crea- 
tures of  us  and  makes  it  posible  for  us  to  do  what  pleases 
God.  Repeat  Ept.  2:10.  "We  are  His  workmanship,  created 
in  Christ  Jesus  unto  good  works,  which  God  hath  before 
ordained  that  we  should  walk  in  them." 

40.  We  are  created  unto  good  works.     That  is  why  God  made  us  that 

we  should  serve  Him.  He  gave  us  hands,  feet,  eyes,  ears  and 
all  our  members  that  we  should  serve  Him.  But  the  apostle 
here  says  God  created  us  in  Christ  .lesus.  That  is,  he  re- 
deemed us  through  the  sufferings  and  death  of  Christ  that 
we  should  serve  Him.  For  what  purpose  does  this  passage 
say,  God  created  us  in  Christ  Jesus?  He  created  us  unto  good 
works. 

41.  And  what  hath  God  before  ordained?     He  hath  ordained  that  we 

should  walk  in  good  works. 

42.  What"  does  the  explanation  of  the  Second  Article  of  the  Creed  say 

as  to  the  reason  why  Christ  redeemed,  purchased  and  won 
you?  "That  I  might  be  His  own,  live  under  Him  in  His  king- 
dom and  serve  him  in  everlasting  righteousness,  innocence 
and  blessedness." 

43.  This  is  also  plainly  taught  in  Titus  2:14.     What  is  here  said  of 

Christ?  "Who  gave  himself  for  us,  that  he  might  redeem 
us  from  all  iniquity,  and  purify  unto  himself  a  peculiar  people, 
zealous  of  good  works." 

44.  What    then    was    the    reason    why    Christ    gave    himself   for    us? 

"That  he  might  purify  unto  himself  a  peculiar  people." 

45.  And   what   is    said  of  this   people?     They   should    be   "zealous  of 

good  works." 

46.  That  God  alone  can  give  the  power  to  do  good  works  is  evident 

from  Phil.  2:13.  "For  it  is  God  which  worketh  in  you  both 
to  will  and  to  do  of  his  good  pleasure." 

47.  Now  repeat  Heb.  12:14.    "Follow  peace  with  all  men,  and  holiness, 

without  which    no   man   shall   see  God." 

48.  We  should  follow  or  strive  for  holiness.     What  reason  does  the 

apostle  here  give  for  this?  Without  holiness  no  man  can  see 
God. 

49.  God  himself  is  pure  and  holy  and  they  that  would  see  him  and  be 

with  Him  must  be  as  He  is.  What  are  we  accordingly  to 
follow  after  and  cultivate?     We  are  to  follow  after  holiness. 

50.  And  what  does  the  apostle  here  say  of  those  who  are  not  willing 

to  do  this?     He  says  they  shall  not  see  God. 


232  LESSON  68. 

51.  Now  repeat  1  Thess.  4:3.    "For  this  is  the  will  of  God,  even  your 

sanctification." 

52.  This  is  what  God  wants,  namely,  that  we  be  holy.    Sanctification 

is  his  work.  It  is  a  growth.  The  new  life  in  us  must  grow. 
How  does  all  life  show  itself?    It  shows  itself  by  growth. 

53.  And  this  growth  continues  as  long  as  we  live  in  the  world.    It  is 

never  perfect  on  earth.  While  we  are  in  this  sinful  world 
we  can  not  be  perfectly  holy.  There  are  people  who  are  so 
blind  as  to  imagine  they  can  be  perfectly  sanctified  in  this 
world.  But  what  does  the  apostle  say  of  such  in  1  John  1:8.? 
"If  we  say  we  have  no  sin,  we  deceive  ourselves,  and  the 
truth  is  not  in  us." 

54.  Perfect  sanctification,  that  is,  perfect  holiness  or  sinlessness,  will 

be  reached  only  in  heaven.  But  so  long  as  we  live  in  this 
world  we  are  to  grow  and  increase  in  holiness  of  heart  and 
life.  We  should  be  better  today  than  we  were  yesterday, 
and  better  tomorrow  than  we  are  today.  What  becomes  of 
a  plant  when  it  stops  growing?     It  dies. 

55.  So  our  spiritual  life  must  soon  die  if  we  do  not  grow.     There  is 

no  such  thing  as  standing  still.  If  we  are  not  going  forward 
we  are  going  backward  in  Christian  life. 


LESSON  68.     GOOD  WORKS. 

Question  226-228. 

1.  We  have  seen  that  the  faith  which  saves  us  shows  itself  in  good 

works.  It  can  not  be  hidden.  It  is  a  fiew  life  in  the  soul, 
and  life  shows  itself  by  action.  Where  do  both  the  willingness 
and  the  power  to  do  good  works  come  from?  The  Holy 
Ghost  gives  them  to  us. 

2.  (226)     "What  are   good   works?"     "All   that   a   Christian    thinks, 

speaks  and  does  from  faith  according  to  God's  command  and 
to  His  honor  and  glory."  ' 

3.  Tell  me  from  this  answer  who  alone  can  do  good  works?     Only 

a  Christian  can  do  good  works. 

4.  What  must  a  man  become  before  anything  which  he  does  can 

please  God?     He  must  become  a  Christian. 

5.  So  we  read  Heb.  11:6.     "Without  faith  it  is  impossible  to  please 

God." 

6.  The  Savior  Himself  says  the  same  thing,   Mat.   7:17-18.     "Every 

good  tree  bringeth  forth  good  fruit;  but  a  corrupt  tree 
bringeth  forth  evil  fruit.  A  good  tree  cannot  bring  forth  evil 
fruit,  neither  can  a  corrupt  tree  bring  forth  good  fruit." 

7.  What  fruit  does  an  apple  tree  bear?     It  bears  apples. 

8.  What  fruit  does  a  grape  vine  bear?     It  bears  grapes. 

9.  Can  you  expect  figs  to  grow  on  a  thistle  stock?     No.  you  cannot. 
10.  Why  not?     Because  it  is  not  the  nature  of  a  thistle  to  bear  figs. 


LESSON  68.  233 

11.  Now  by  nature  we  are  all  corrupt  trees.     We  are  conceived  and 

born  in  sin,  and  all  that  we  think  or  say  or  do  is  sinful. 
What  change  must  take  place  before  we  can  do  anything 
that  is  really  good  in  the  sight  of  God?  We  must  become 
Christians. 

12.  Yes,  we  must  be  born  again.    Even  in  natural  life  a  man  must  be 

born  before  he  can  act.  What  must  be  done  with  a  candle 
before  it  gives  light?     It  must  be  ligiited. 

13.  What  must  be  done  with  a  fire  before  it  gives  warmth?     It  must 

be  kindled. 

14.  But  what  will  a  fire  do  as  soon  as  it  is  kindled?     It  will  burn  and 

give  forth  warmth. 

15.  What  does  the  Savior  say  of  every  good  tree?     Every  good  tree 

bringeth  forth  good  fruit. 

16.  It  is  the  nature  of  the  good  tree  to  bring  forth  good  fruit.     Why 

need  the  sun  not  be  urged  and  told  to  shine?  Because  it  does 
so  without  being  told,  it  is  its  nature  to  shine. 

17.  So  it  is  the  regenerated  nature  of  the  Christian  that  does  good 

works.  What  does  the  Savior  say  of  all  true  believers. 
John  15:5?  "I  am  the  vine,  ye  are  the  branches.  He  that 
abideth  in  Me,  and  I  in  him,  the  same  bringeth  forth  much 
fruit:  for  without  Me  ye  can  do  nothing." 

18.  What  comes   of  a   branch  when  it  is  cut  off  from  the  vine?     It 

withers  and  dies. 

19.  So  we  can  live  and  bear  the  fruit  of  good  woi'ks  only  so  long  as 

we  remain  in  living  connection  with  the  Savior  by  faith.  Now 
tell  me  what  it  is  in  a  Christian  that  prompts  him  to  do 
good  works?     It  is  faith. 

20.  Faith  is  the  new  life  which  shows  itself  through  works.     As  St. 

James  says,  James  2:17-18:  "Faith  if  it  hath  not  works,  is 
dead,  being  alone." 

21.  Repeat  Rom.  14:23.    "Whatsoever  is  not  of  faith  is  sin." 

22.  Faith  in  Christ  is  the  source  of  all  good  works.     There  may  be 

works  which  outwardly  appear  to  be  good  without  faith.  A 
man  may  avoid  sin  for  fear  of  punishment,  he  may  give  to 
the  poor  to  make  himself  a  name.  He  may  give  because  he 
expects  to  receive  again.  But  are  such  works  really  good  in 
the  sight  of  God?     No,  they  are  not. 

23.  They  lack  the  proper  motive.     Read  what  is  written  1  Sam.  16:7. 

The  last  half  of  the  verse.  "For  the  Lord  seeth  not  as  man 
seeth;  for  man  looketh  upon  the  outward  appearance  but  the 
Lord  looketh  upon  the  heart." 

24.  God   judges    our   works    by  our   motives.     How   must    He   regard 

them  if  they  are  done  from  selfishness  or  vanity?  He  can 
not  be  pleased  with  them, 

25.  Not  everything  that  a  Christian  does  is  good;  but  according  to  our 

answer  what  is  good?  Everything  that  a  Christian  does 
through  faith. 

26.  No  Christian  is  perfect  and  therefore  only  when  he  acts  thrcigh 

faith  are  his  works  good.  Now  tell  me  from  question  226. 
according  to  what  rule  must  works  be  done  in  order  to  be 
good?     According  to  God's  command. 


234  LESSON  68. 

27.  Only  that  is  good  which  God  has  commanded.     What  good  thing, 

for  instance,  has  He  commanded  children?  He  has  com- 
manded them  to  obey  their  parents. 

28.  How  do  we  know  that  it  is  a  good   work  for  children  to  honor 

and  obey  their  parents?  Because  God  Himself  has  com- 
manded  it. 

29.  What  does. the  Savior  say  Mat.  15:9?     In  vain  do  they  worship 

me,  teaching  for  doctrines  the  commandments  of  men." 

30.  Now   tell   me   from   our   question    in    what   three   forms    do   good 

works  show  themselves?     In  thoughts,  words  and  deeds. 

31.  How  does  the  Savior  describe  the  evil  heart  of  man?    Mat.  15:19. 

"Out  of  the  heart  proceed  evil  thoughts,  murders,  adulteries, 
fornications,  thefts,  false  witness,  blasphemies." 

32.  The  Savior  here  tells  us  that  out  of  the  evil  heart  of  the  natural 

man  proceed  evil  thoughts.  Then  what  kind  of  thoughts 
proceed  out  of  the  heart  of  a  good  man,  that  is, — a  Christian? 
Good  thoughts. 

33.  How  do  the  thoughts  of  our  hearts  find  expression?     By  words. 

34.  A  man  who  thinks  right  will  also  talk  right.     If  his  thoughts  are 

pure,  how  will  his  words  be?     His  words  will  also  be  pure. 

35.  Repeat  Col.  3:17.     "Whatsoever  ye  do  in  word  or  deed,  do  all   in 

the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  giving  thinks  to  God  and  the 
Father  by  Him." 

36.  But  when  a  man  thinks  right,  not  only  his  words,  but  what  else 

will  be  right?     His  actions  will  also  be  right. 

37.  A  Christian  thinks,  speaks  and  acts  according  to  God's  command, 

but  what  is  the  great  object  of  all  that  he  thinks,  speaks 
and  acts?     He  does  it  all  to  the  honor  and  glory  of  God. 

38.  Not  his  own,  but  whose  honor  and  glory  is  he  seeking?     He  is 

seeking  the  honor  and  glory  of  God. 

39.  So  the  apostle  admonishes  1  Cor.  10:31.     "Whether  therefore  ye 

eat,  or  drink,  or  whatsoever  ye  do,  do  all  to  the  glory  of 
God."   . 

40.  (227)     "But  why  do  the  good  works  of  Christians,  seeing  they  are 

not  all  perfect,  please  God?"  "Because  Christians,  through 
faith,  are  God's  dear  children,  and  the  perfect  righteousness 
of  Christ  covers  all  their  imperfections." 

41.  Can  a  Christian  do  perfectly  good  works?     No,  he  cannot. 

42.  Why  not?     Because  even  Christians  are  poor  sinners. 

43.  And  yet  how  does  God  regard  these  imperfect  works  of  Christians? 

He  is  pleased  with  them. 

44.  But  how  can  God  be  pleased  with  works  that  are  not  perfect?    To 

answer  this  tell  me  from  question  227  what  are  Christians? 
Christians  are  God's  dear  children. 

45.  How  do  they  become  His  dear  Children?    Through  faith  in  Christ. 

46.  When  a  father  loves  his  child  how  will  he  regard  even  the  im- 

perfect works  of  the  child?     He  will  be  pleased  with  them. 

47.  All  our  works  are  imperfect,  but  how  are  all  these  imperfections 

covered?  They  are  covered  by  the  perfect  righteousness  of 
Christ. 


50. 


LESSON  69.  28o 

What  kind  of  rii;liteuiisness  is  the  righteousness  of  Christ?  It 
is  a  perfect  righteousness. 

And  this  pleases  God.  And  for  Christ's  sake  God  is  pleased  with 
us.  Repeat  Rom.  8:1.  "There  is  therefore  no  condemnation 
to  them  which  are  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  walk  not  after  the 
flesh,   but  after  the  spirit." 

And  again  Rom.  8::J:!-34.  "Who  shall  lay  anything  to  the  charge  of 
God's  elect?  It  is  God  that  justifieth.  Who  is  he  that  con- 
demneth?  It  is  Christ  that  died,  yea  rather,  that  rose  again, 
who  is  ever  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  who  also  maketh  in- 
tercession for  us." 
51.  (228)  "Why  should  we  do  good  works?"  "Not  in  order  to  be- 
come just  and  be  saved,  but  to  thank  God  and  prove  our  faith 
by  them." 

52  So  often,  when  men  are  asked  why  they  should  do  good  works 

what  do  they  answer?     In  order  to  become  just  and  be  saved. 

53  Men  do  what  they  consider  good  works  because  they  want  to  go 

to  heaven.  But  this  is  a  wrong  motive.  We  are  saved,  not 
by  our  works,  but  by  faith,  as  we  see  from  Rom.  3:28. 
"Therefore  we  conclude  that  a  man  is  justified  by  faith  with- 
out the  deeds  of  the  law." 

54  And  again  Eph.  2:8-9.     "By  grace  are  ye  saved  through  faith;  and 

that  not  of  yourselves:    it  is  the  gift  of  God:    not  of  works, 

lest  any  man  should  boast." 
55.     What  is  the  first  reason  given  in  question  228  why  we  should  do 

good  works?     To  thank  God. 
What  do  we  owe  God  for  all  his  bodily  and  spiritual  blessings? 

We  owe  him  thanks. 
And  how   can   we  best  show   our   thankfulness?     By   doing    good 

works,  by  obeying  his  commandments. 
And   what  other   reason    is   here   given  why   we    should   do   good 

works?     We  prove  our  faith  by  them. 
So  the  Savior  says.     Mat.   5:16.     "Let  you   light  so  shine   before 

men,  that  they  may  see  your  good  works,  and  glorify  your 

Father  which  is  in  heaven." 
And  St.  .lames  says.     James  2: 17-18.     "Faith,  if  it  hath  not  works, 

is  dead,  being  alone.    Yes,  a  man  may  say,  thou  hast  faith  and 

1   have  works:    show  me  thy  faith  without  thy  works,  and   I 

will   shew  thee   my  faith   by   my  works." 
Repeat  also  .John  13:35.     "By  this  shall  all  men  know  that  ye  are 

my  disciples,  if  ye  have  love  one  to  another." 


56. 

57. 
58. 
59. 

60. 
61. 


LESSON  69.      PRESERVATION   IN  THE  FAITH. 

Question  229. 

1.  How  are  we  saved?     We  are  saved  by  faith   in  Jesus  Christ. 

2.  Who  works  this  faith  in  us?     The  Holy  Ghost. 

3.  How  is  this  set  forth  in  the  explanation  of  the  Third  Article?     "I 

believe  that  I  cannot,  by  my  own  reason  or  strength,  believe 
in  Jesus  Christ  my  Lord  or  come  to  Him.  .But  the  Holy 
Ghost  has  called  me  by  the  Gospel,  enlightened  me  with  His 
gifts,  sanctified   and   kept   me   in  the  true  faith." 


286  LESSON   69. 

4.  We  here  confess  that  the  Holy  Ghost  calls  us  by  the  Gospel,  en- 

lightens us  with  His  gifts  and  sanctifies  us  in  the  true  faith. 
What  little  word  did  I  just  now  omit?     The  word  "keeps". 

5.  Yes,  the  Holy  Ghost  also  "keeps  us  in  the  one  true  faith."     This 

little  word  "keeps"  is  of  very  great  importance.  For  unless 
we  are  kept  in  the  true  faith  we  cannot  be  saved.  Read 
what  is  written.  Rev.  2:10.  "Be  thou  faithful  unto  death,  and 
I  will  give  thee  a  crown  of  life." 

6.  As  God  alone  can  work  faith  in  us,  He  alone  can  keep  us  in  the 

faith.  What  would  become  of  our  natural,  bodily  life  if  God 
did  not  preserve  it?     It  would  perish.  .We  would  die. 

7.  God  is  not  only  the  Creator  but  also  the  Preserver  of  our  bodily 

life.  So  in  our  spiritual  life.  He  not  only  brings  us  to  faith, 
but  what  else  does  He  do?    He  preserves  us  in  this  faith. 

8.  If  we  were  left  to  ourselves,  after  God  has  brought  us  to  faith, 

what  would  become  of  our  faith?     We  would  lose  it. 

9.  (229)     "How  does  the  Holy  Ghost  keep  us?"    "He  preserves  us  in 

the  true  faith  unto  eternal  life." 

10.  Repeat  1  Peter  1:5.     "Ye  are  kept  by  the  power  of  God  through 

faith  unto  salvation." 

11.  By  what  power  are  we  kept  unto  salvation?     We  are  kept  by  the 

power  of  God  unto  salvation. 

12.  Now  read  Phil.  1:6.     "Being  confident  of  this  very  thing,  that  He 

which  hath  begun  a  good  work  in  you  will  perform  it  until 
the  day  of  Jesus  Christ." 

13.  Read  also  Heb.     12:2,  the  first  part  of  the  verse.     "Looking  unto 

Jesus,  the  author  and  finisher  of  our  faith." 

14.  What  is  Jesus  here  called?     He  is  called  the  "author  and  finisher 

of  our  faith." 

15.  How  does  God  preserve  our  natural,  bodily  lives?     He  provides 

us  with  food,  drink,  clothing  and  shelter. 

16.  These  are  the  means  through  which  God  preserves  our  natural, 

bodily  lives.  Now  let  us  see  through  what  means  he  pre- 
serves our  spiritual  lives.  What  is  the  commonest  article 
of  bodily  food?  Bread  is  the  commonest  article  of  bodily 
food. 

17.  Read  what  Jesus  says  of  himself,  John  6:48.    "I  am  the  bread  of 

life." 

18.  We  feed  upon  Him  when  we  hear  His  Word.     Read  Luke  14:15, 

the  second  half  of  the  verse.  "Blessed  is  he  that  shall  eat 
bread  in  the  kingdom  of  God." 

19.  God's  word  is  the  bread  of  life.    This  is  the  spiritual  food  through 

which  we  are  kept  alive  spiritually.  But  what  must  we  do 
with  bread  if  we  would  have  it  keep  us  alive?  We  must 
eat  it. 

20.  And  what  must  we  do  with  God's  word  if  it  is  to  keep  us  alive 

spiritually?    We  must  hear  it. 

21.  How  must  we  hear  it  according  to  Luther's  explanation  of  the 

third  Commandment?    We  must  gladly  hear  and  learn  it. 

22.  Read  Luke  11:28.     "Blessed  are  they  that  hear  the  word  of  God 

and    keep   It." 


LESSON  69.  237 


23.  What  else  do  we  need  besides  food  to   preserve  life?     We   also 

need   drink. 

24.  Read  .John  7:'M,  the  second  half  of  the  verse.     "In  the  last  day, 

that  great  day  of  the  feast,  Jesus  stood  and  cried,  saying, 
if  any  man  thirst,  let  him  come  unto  me,  and  drink." 

25.  .lesns  is  the  true  water  of  life  as  the  prophet  Isaiah  says,  chapter 

12:?,.  "Therefore  with  joy  shall  ye  draw  water  out  of  the 
wells  of  salvation." 

2G.  God's  word,  the  l^lessed  Gospel  of  Christ,  is  the  true  water  of 
life.  But  if  water  is  to  do  us  good  what  must  we  do  with  it? 
We  must  drink   it. 

27.  Yes,  and  plenty  of  it.     How  do  we  drink  this  spiritual  water  of 

life?    When  we  gladly  hear  and  learn  the  word  of  God. 

28.  So  the  word  of  God  is  the  great  means  through  which  Grod  pre- 

serves us  in  the  true  faith  unto  eternal  life.  But  this  word 
comes  to  us  not  only  by  means  of  our  ears  but  also  by  means 
of  our  eyes,  namely  in  the  Holy  Sacraments.  They  are  called 
the  visible  Word.  Especially  the  holy  sacrament  of  the  altar, 
the  Lord's  Supper,  is  a  means  through  which  God  strengthens 
and  preserves  faith.  Here  we  come  into  most  intimate  fel- 
lowship with  the  Savior,  as  we  shall  learn  under  the  last 
chief  part  of  the  Catechism.  If  the  Lord's  Supper  is  a  means 
to  strengthen  our  faith  what  should  this  fact  induce  us  to 
to  do  with  this  Sacrament?  It  should  induce  us  to  receive  the 
Sacrament  frequently. 

2D.  God  preserves  faith  in  us  through  the  Word  and  the  Sacraments. 
But  not  all  who  hear  this  Word  and  receive  the  Sacrament 
are  strengthened  and  preserved  in  faith.  Whose  fault  is  this? 
It  is  their  own  fault. 

no.  Yes,  they  harden  their  hear,is  against  the  Holy  Ghost  when  they 
hear  the  W^ord  and  go  to  the  Sacrament.  And  when  a  man 
wilfully  resists  the  Holy  Ghost,  what  becomes  of  his  faith? 
He  loses  it. 

.11.  Read  Heb.  .1:7-8.  "Wherefore,  as  the  Holy  Ghost  saith,  today  if  ye 
hear  his  voice  harden  not  your  hearts  as  in  the  day  of  pro- 
vocation, in  the  day  of  temptation  in  the  wilderness." 

32.  Against  what  are  we  here  solemnly  warned?     Against  hardening 

our  hearts. 

33.  That  means   wilfully   resisting  the   Holy   Ghost  when   He   brings 

us  the  truth.  Who  did  this  according  to  the  passage  just 
read?     The  children  of  Israel   in  the  wilderness. 

34.  Another  example  of  such  hardening  of  the  heart  and  resisting  the 

Holy  Ghost  is  King  Saul.  What  did  God  give  him  when  he 
came  to  be  king  of  Israel?  1  Sam.  10:9.  "And  it  was  so,  that 
when  he  had  turned  his  back  to  go  from  Samuel,  God  gave 
him  another  heart." 

35.  Saul  made  a  fair  beginning,  but  he  did  not  keep  it  up.     He  soon 

turned  his  heart  away  from  God  and  became  a  reprobate,  so 
that  God  rejected  him.  Read  1  Sam.  15:26.  "And  Samuel 
said  unto  Saul,  I  will  not  return  with  thee:  for  thou  hast 
rejected  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and  the  Lord  hath  rejected 
thee  from   being   king  of   Israel." 


238  LESSON   69. 

36.  Because  Saul  resisted  the  known  truth  he  was  not  kept  in  the 

faith  but  fell  away.  And  what  became  of  him?  He  took  his 
own   life  and  was  lost. 

37.  Which  one  of  the  disciples  betrayed  the  Savior?     Judas   Iscariot. 

38.  He  too,  no  doubt,  was  a  true  believer.     What  office  did  he  hold 

among  the  twelve?  He  carried  the  bag,  that  is,  he  was 
treasurer. 

39.  But  how  did  he  deal  with  the  money  entrusted  to  him?    John  12:6. 

"This  he  said,  not  that  he  cared  for  the  poor;  but  because 
he  was  a  thief,  and  had  the  bag,  and  bare  what  was  put 
therein." 

40.  The  sin  of  avarice  so  took  possession  of  his  heart  that  he  fell 

away  from  the  faith.  He  was  a  hypocrite  when  he  professed 
to  be  a  follower  and  a  friend  of  the  Savior.  How  did  he 
show  this  in  the  garden  of  Gethsemane?  He  betrayed  the 
Savior  with  a  kiss. 

41.  What  is  a  kiss  the  sign  of?     A  kiss  is  the  sign  of  friendship. 

42.  By  this  sign  of  friendship  he  betrayed  the  Lord  into  the  hands 

of  his  enemies.  When  he  did  this  he  had  lost  the  faith.  He 
had  heard  the  Savior's  preaching  and  seen  his  miracles,  and 
yet  he  was  lost.  Can  you  tell  me  why  he  was  not  kept  or 
preserved  in  the  faith?  Because  he  hardened  his  heart 
against  the  truth. 

43.  Children,  it  is  an  awful  thing  to  resist  the  known  truth,  to  harden 

one's  heart  against  the  word  of  God.  Beware  of  this,  if  you 
would  be  kept  in  the  faith  and  be  saved.  Now  let  us  also  see 
some  cases  just  the  opposite  of  Saul  and  Judas.  Who  was 
the  man  whom  Samuel  anointed  as  king  of  Israel  in  Saul's 
stead?     He  anointed   David. 

44.  David  also  sinned,  and  fell  away  from  God.     But  when  God  sent 

the  prophet  Nathan  to  admonish  him  to  repent,  what 
did  David  say?  2  Sam.  12:13.  "And  David  said  unto  Nathan, 
'I  have  sinned  against  the  Lord',  And  Nathan  said  unto  David 
'The  Lord  hath  put  away  thy  sin;  thou  shalt  not  die'." 

45.  He  did  not  resist  the  word  of  God  but  yielded  to  It.     And  what 

did  the  prophet  say  to  him  on  that  account?  "The  Lord  hath 
put  away  thy  sin;  thou  shalt  not  die." 

46.  Thus  David  was  restored  to  faith  and  preserved  in  it.    Which  one 

of  the  disciples  besides  Judas  shamefully  sinned  against  Jesus, 
during  his  trial  before  the  High  Priest?     The  Apostle  Peter. 

47.  Jesus  had  warned  him  in  advance  against  this  sin,  but  he  was  too 

sure  that  he  was  strong  enough  to  stand  any  temptation. 
What  did  he  do  when  he  was  accused  of  being  one  of  the 
Lord's  disciples?  He  denied  with  an  oath  that  he  even 
knew  the  Savior. 

48.  This  was  an  awful  sin.     Peter  fell  away  from  the  faith  when  he 

did  this.  But  afterwards,  when  according  to  the  Savior's 
prediction,  the  cock  crew  and  the  Savior  turned  and  looked 
at  him,  what  did  Peter  do?     He  went  out  and  wept  bitterly. 

49.  He  repented  of  his  sin  and  was  restored  and  preserved  in  faith. 

Read  what  the  Savior  says.  Mark  14:38.  "Watch  ye  and  pray, 
lest  ye  enter  into  temptation.  The  spirit  truly  is  willing  but 
the  flesh  is  weak." 


LESSON  70.  239 

50.  When  we  are  tempted  to  fall  away  from  the  faith,  what  should  we 

do?    We  should  watch  and  pray. 

51.  Prayer  is  very  important  with   reference  to  our  preservation  in 

the  faith.  We  have  seen  that  God  alone  can  preserve  us  in 
the  faith.  When  a  man  is  in  danger  and  cannot  help  himself, 
what  does  he  do?     He  calls  for  help  from  someone  else. 

52.  And  so  we  should  do  when  we  feel  ourselves  growing  weak  in 

faith.     Upon  whom  should  we  call  when  we  are  in  danger? 
We  should  call  upon  God. 

53.  And  what  does   God   say  he   will  do  when  we  call  upon  him   in 

trouble?  Psalm  50:15.  "Call  upon  me  in  the  day  of  trouble: 
I   will   deliver  thee,  and  thou   shalt  glorify   me." 


LESSON   70.     THE   CHRISTIAN   CHURCH. 

Question  230-232. 

1.  How  does  the  explanation  of  the  third  article  describe  the  work 

of  the  Holy  Ghost  in  us?  "I  believe  that  the  Holy  Ghost  has 
called  me  by  the  Gospel,  enlightened  me  with  His  gifts,  sanc- 
tified and  kept  me  in  the  true  faith." 

2.  This  he  does  to  you,  but  not  only  to  you.    What  else  does  the  ex- 

planation say?  "Even  as  he  calls,  gathers,  enlightens  and 
sanctifies  the  whole  Christian  Church  on  earth." 

3.  Whom  does  the  Holy  Ghost  call,  gather,  enlighten,  sanctify  and 

keep?     The  whole  Christian  Church  on  earth. 

4.  (230)     "Which  words  of  the  Third  Article  treat  of  the  Church?" 

"I  believe  the  holy  Christian  Church,  the  communion  of 
saints." 

5.  (231)     "What  do  we  here  understand  by  the  church?"    "The  com- 

munion  of  saints,   or  all   those   who  truly   believe   in   Christ." 

6.  The  Church  is  here  called  a  communion.     If  you  omit  the   first 

syllable  of  this  word,  what  word  remains.     The  word  "union." 

7.  By  this  we  mean  two  or  more  things  that  are  brought  together 

and  looked  upon  as  one.  For  instance,  what  do  we  mean 
when  we  speak  of  our  country  as  the  "Union"?  We  mean  the 
whole  land  in  which  we  live. 

8.  Why  is  it   called   "the   Union"?      Because    it   is   composed    of   the 

several   states,  which  make  up  our  country. 

9.  So  the  church  is  a  union,  a  combination  of  individual  believers. 

Can  you  give  me  another  word  which  means  about  the  same 
thing  as  the  word  union?    A  gathering,  or  a  company. 

10.  What  kind  of  gathering  or  communion  is  the  Chm-ch?    The  church 

is  the  communion  of  saints. 

11.  Who  are  these  saints,  according  to  question  231?     All  those  who 

truly  believe  in  Christ. 


240  LESSON  70. 

12.  Repeat  Eph.  2:19-22.     "Now  therefore  ye  are   no   more  strangers 

and  foreigners,  but  fellow  citizens  with  the  saints,  and  of  the 
household  of  God;  built  upon  the  foundation  of  the  apostles 
and  prophets,  Jesus  Christ  Himself  being  the  chief  corner 
stone;  in  whom  the  whole  building  fitly  framed  together 
groweth  unto  an  holy  temple  in  the  Lord.  In  whom  ye  also 
are  builded  together  for  an  habitation  of  God  through  the 
Spirit.;' 

13.  Under  what  figure  is  the  Church  here  represented?     Under  the 

figure  of  a  building,  a  temple. 

14.  A  building  is   composed  of  stones  and  other  material.     What  is 

that  called  upon  which  the  building  rests?  It  is  called  the 
foundation. 

15.  What  is  the  foundation  of  the  Church?     The  foundation   of  the 

apostles  and   prophets. 

16.  And  who  is  the  chief  cornerstone  in  this  foundation?    Jesus  Christ 

Himself. 

17.  In  whom  do  we  believe  as  Christians?     We  believe  in  Christ. 

18.  And  what  do  we  become  by  such  faith?     We  become  Christians. 

19.  Repeat   Eph.    5:25-27.      "Christ   also    loved   the    church,   and    gave 

Himself  for  it;  that  he  might  sanctify  and  cleanse  it  with 
the  washing  of  water  by  the  Word,  that  He  might  present  it 
to  Himself  a  glorious  church,  not  having  spot,  or  wrinkle, 
or  any  such  thing;  but  that  it  should  be  holy  and  without 
blemish." 

20.  What  is  here  said  of  Christ's  relation  to  the  Church?     "He  loved 

the  church   and  gave   Himself  for   it." 

21.  And  what  else  did  He  do?     He  sanctified  and  cleansed  the  Church. 

22.  How  did  He  do  this?     By  the  washing  of  water  by  the  Word. 

This  is  a  reference  to  baptism.  Since  when  are  we  members 
of  the  Christian  church?     Since  we  were  baptized. 

23.  How  were  we  made  members  of  the  Church?     Through  baptism. 

24.  Repeat  Rom.  8:9.     "If  any  man  have  not  the  spirit  of  Christ,  he  is 

none  of  His." 

25.  What  is  here  said   of  those  who  are   Christ's?     They   have    His 

spirit. 

2G.  And  only  those  who  have  His  spirit  are  His,  that  is  members  of 
the  church.  As  God  sees  the  church,  whom  does  He  count 
as  its  members?     Only  true  believers. 

27.  Repeat  Mat.   13:38.     "The  field    is  the  world;    the   good  seed   are 

the  children  of  the  kingdom;  but  the  tares  are  the  children 
of  the  wicked  one." 

28.  When  you  look  at  a  wheat  field  in  the  springtime,  how  does  it 

look?     It  looks  green. 

29.  What  is  there  on  this  field  besides  wheat?     There  are  also  tares 

or  weeds  on  it. 

30.  Yes,    and   you   cannot   distinguish   one   from    the   other;    and   yet 

tares  are  not  wheat.  Whom  does  the  Savior  here  compare 
to  wheat?     The  children  of  the  kingdom,  true  believers. 


LESSON   70.  241 

31.  And  whom  does  He  compare  to  the  tares?     The  children  of  the 

wicked  one,  or  hypocrites. 

32.  These  hypocrites  do  not  really  belong  to  the  church,  but  are  only 

outwardly  connected  with  it.  When  a  wagon  is  drawn 
through  the  mud,  what  clings  to  the  wheels?  Dirt  clings  to 
the  wheels. 

33.  Is  the  dirt  really  a  part  of  the  wagon?     No,  it  only  clings  to  it. 

34.  The   wagon   would   be  a  great  deal  better   off  without  the  dirt. 

But  so  long  as  you  are  pulling  the  wagon  through  the  mud 
the  dirt  will  stick  to  the  wheels.  So  the  wicked  will  cling 
outwardly  to  the  Church,  although  the  Church  would  be  a 
great  deal  better  off  without  them,  and  yet  who  alone  are 
members  of  the  church?     Only  true  believers. 

35.  (232)     "Why   do  we   say    I    believe   the   Church?"     "Because   the 

Word  of  God  testifies,  that  at  all  times  there  is  a  communion 
of  saints,  and  yet  we  cannot  see  their  faith  with  our  eyes." 

36.  We  say  in  the  Third  Article  I  believe  in  the  holy  Christian  church. 

We  do  not  say  I  see  it.  The  Church  as  a  matter  of  faith 
and  not  of  sight.  We  can  see  the  building  called  a  Church. 
We  can  see  the  people  who  are  connected  with,  and  worship 
in  this  church.  But  what  can  we  not  see  according  to  ques- 
tion 232?     We  cannot  see  their  faith. 

37.  That  is,  we  cannot  tell  with  infallible  certainty  who  are  true  be- 

lievers. And  that  is  because  we  cannot  see  into  men's 
hearts.  Who  alone  can  do  this?  God  alone  can  see  into  the 
heart. 

38.  Repeat  Luke   17:20-21.      "The    kingdom   of    God    cometh    not   with 

observation:  neither  shall  they  say,  Lo,  here!  or  lo,  there! 
for  behold,  the  kingdom  of  God  is  within  you." 

39.  Where    accordingly  is    God's   kingdom?      It    is   within    us,    in    our 

hearts. 

40.  What   does    God's    Word    testify    concerning    the    communion    of 

saints?  The  Word  of  God  testifies  that  at  all  times  there  is 
a  communion  of  saints. 

41.  In  1   Kings   19:14-18  we  have  part  of  the   story  of  the  prophet 

Elijah.  He  was  discouraged  because  he  thought  he  was  the 
only  true  believer  left  in  Israel.  But  what  did  the  Lord  say? 
Verse  18.  "Yet  I  have  left  me  seven  thousand  in  Israel,  all 
the  knees  which  have  not  bowed  unto  Baal,  and  every  mouth 
which  hath  not  kissed  him." 

42.  So  the  Church  is  in  the  world  even  when  it  appears  to  have  been 

completely  wiped  out.  Read  2  Sam.  15:11.  "And  with  Ab- 
salom went  two  hundred  men  out  of  Jerusalem,  that  were 
called;  and  they  went  in  their  simplicity,  and  they  knew  not 
anything." 

43.  Absalom   was   in   rebellion   against  king  David   his   father.     But 

many  of  his  followers  did  not  know  his  evil  design.  How  did 
they  follow  their  wicked  leader?  They  followed  him  in  their 
simplicity.    They  did  it  ignorantly. 

44.  So  we  may  often  not  only  count  men  into  the  Church  who  are 

out  of  it,  but  what  other  mistake  may  we  make?     We  may 
count  men  out  who  are  really  in. 
16 


242  LESSON    /I. 

45.  But  God  makes  no   such  mistake,  And  why?     Because    He  sees 

the  heart. 

46.  Repeat  Mat.   16: is.     "And    I    say   also   unto  three,   that  thou   art 

Peter,  and  upon  this  rock  I  will  build  my  church;  and  the 
gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevail  against  it." 

47.  What  noble  confession  had   Peter  made  concerning  the   Savior? 

Verse,  16.  "And  Simon  Peter  answered  and  said:  Thou  art 
the  Christ,  the  Son  of  the  living  God." 

48.  On  account  of  the  confession  which  he  had  made  the  Savior  called 

him  a  rock.  The  truth  which  he  confessed  is  the  rock  upon 
which  the  Church  is  founded.  And  what  does  the  Savior  say 
with  reference  to  this  His  Church?  He  says  the  gates  of  hell 
shall  not  prevail  against  it. 

49.  That  is,  the  devil  shall  not  succeed  in  destroying  the  Church.     It 

shall  remain  forever.  Repeat  Luke  1:33.  "And  He  shall 
reign  over  the  house  of  Jacob  forever;  and  of  his  kingdom 
there  shall  be  no  end." 

50.  This  is  a  prophecy  concerning  the  coming  Savior  of  the  world. 

What  is  here  said  of  His  kingdom?     It  shall  continue  forever. 

51.  Read  also  what  is  prophesied,  Dan.  7:14,  concerning  the  Messiah. 

"And  there  shall  be  given  Him  dominion,  and  glory,  and  a 
kingdom,  that  all  people,  nations,  and  languages,  should 
serve  Him:  His  dominion  is  an  everlasting  dominion,  which 
shall  not  pass  away,  and  His  kingdom  that  which  shall  not 
be  destroyed." 

52.  What  is  here  said  of  the  kingdom  of  the  Messiah?     It  shall    be 

an  everlasting  dominion,  it  shall  not  pass  away. 

53.  But  this  is  a  matter  of  faith  and  not  of  sight.     We  believe  there 

will  always  be  a  Church,  although  it  often  seemed  as  though 
the  Church  could  not  exist  much  longer.  Yes,  infidels  have 
boasted  that  the  days  of  the  Church  are  numbered.  There 
will  always  be  some  true  believers  in  the  world,  even  though 
they  may  be  few.  God  knows  who  they  are,  as  we  learn 
from  2  Tim.  2:19.  "Nevertheless  the  foundation  of  God 
stand^th  sure,  having  this  seal,  the  Lord  knoweth  them  that 
are  His.  And  let  every  one  that  nameth  the  name  of  Christ 
depart  from  iniquity." 

54.  What  is  here  said  of  the  Lord?     The  lord  knoweth  them  that  are 

His. 

55.  When  we  say  in  the  Creed:  I  believed  in  the  Church,  we  make  it 

a  matter  of  faith,  and  faith  deals  with  things  that  cannot  be 
seen,  as  we  learn  from  Heb.  11:1.  "Faith  is  the  substance 
of  things  hoped  for  and  the  evidence  of  things  not  seen." 


LESSON  7L    THE  CHRISTIAN  CHURCH— (Continued). 
Question  233-236. 

1.  What  was  the  subject  of  our  last  lesson?     The  Christian  Church. 

2.  Who  belongs  to  the  Church?     All  true  believers. 

3.  What  do  you  confess  in  the  Third  Article  with  reference  to  the 

Church?     I  believe  in  the  Holy  Christian  Church. 


LESSON  yt.  243 

4.  What  two  attributes  are  here  given  to  the  Church?     The  attrib- 

utes HOLY  and  CHRISTIAN. 

5.  What  does   the   word   holy  mean?     The   word    holy    means   pure, 

without  sin. 

6.  (22;])     "Why  is  the  Church  called  holy?"     "Because  Christians  by 

faith  are  perfectly  holy  in  Christ,  and  begin  to  lead  a  holy 
life." 

7.  The  Church  is  composed  of  poor  sinners,  and  yet  it  is  said  to  be 

holy.  What  do  you  call  the  Church  in  this  third  article? 
The  "communion  of  saints." 

8.  Saints  are  holy  people.     According  to  question  233,  how  are  we 

Christians  to  be  regarded  holy?  We  are  perfectly  holy  in 
Christ. 

9.  What  does  God  do  with  the  sins  of  those  who  believe  in  Christ? 

He  forgives  them. 

10.  Christians  are  regarded  by  God  as  holy,  not  because  they  have  no 

sins,  but  why?     Because  their  sins  are  forgiven. 

11.  By  faith  we  are  one  with  Christ.     Christ  is  holy,  then  how  must 

God  regard  us?     He  must  regard  us  as  holy. 

12.  Read  Eph.  5:25-27.     "Christ  also  loved  the  church,  and  gave  Him- 

self for  it;  that  He  might  sanctify  and  cleanse  it  with  the 
washing  of  water  by  the  Word,  that  He  might  present  it  to 
Himself  a  glorious  church,  not  having  spot,  or  wrinkle,  or 
any  such  thing;    but  it  should  be  holy  and  without  blemish." 

13.  But  there  is  another  reason  why  the  Church  is  called  holy.     What 

is  it?     Because  Christians  begin  to  lead  a  holy  life. 

14.  Read  Luke  1:74-75.     "That  He  would  grant  us,  that  we  being  de- 

livered out  of  the  hand  of  our  enemies  might  serve  Him 
without  fear  in  holiness  and  righteousness,  all  the  days  of 
our  life." 

15.  A    Christian   is    a   man    who    hates    sin    and   loves    righteousness. 

What  kind  of  man  would  you  call  such  a  man?  I  would  call 
him  a  holy  man. 

16.  Read  1  Cor.  1:2.     "Unto  the  church  of  God  which   is  at  Corinth, 

to  them  that  are  sanctified  in  Christ  Jesus,  called  to  be  saints, 
with  all  that  in  every  place  call  upon  the  name  of  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord,  both  theirs  and   ours." 

17.  What  were  these  Christians  at  Corinth  called  to  be?     They  were 

called  to  be  saints. 

18.  That  is,  they  were  called  to  be  holy  people.     And  they  began  to 

obey  this  call.  They  made  a  beginning  in  holiness  of  life. 
Now  note  this  word  "beginning".  Christians  begin  to  lead  a 
holy  life,  but  they  do  not  finish  it  in  this  world.  They  begin 
and  grow,  but  they  are  not  perfect  in  holiness  so  long 
as  they  live  in  this  world.  Where  do  Christians  expect  to 
be  perfect  in  holiness?     In   heaven. 

19.  What  other  attribute  has  the  church  besides  being  holy?     It   is 

called  Christian. 

20.  After  whom  is  the  Church  called  Christian?     It  is  called  Christian 

after  Christ. 

21.  (234)     "Why  is   the  church   called   Christian?"     "Because  Christ 

alone  is  its  foundation   and   head." 


244  LESSON  71. 

22.  In  what  relation  does  Christ  stand  to  the  Church,  first  of  all?     He 

is  its  foundation. 

23.  Repeat  Bph.  2:19-22.     "Now  tiierefore  ye  are  no   more  strangers 

and  foreigners,  but  fellow  citizens  with  the  saints,  and  of  the 
household  of  God;  and  are  built  upon  the  foundation  of  the 
Apostles  and  Prophets,  Jesus  Christ  Himself  being  the  chief 
corner  stone;  in  whom  all  the  building  fitly  framed  together 
groweth  unto  a  holy  temple  in  the  Lord:  in  whom  ye  also 
are  bullded  together  for  a  habitation  of  God  in  the  Spirit." 

24.  Upon    whom    is    the    Church    built?      The    Church    is    built    upon 

Chrisf. 

25.  Christ  is  the  founder  of  the  Church  and  what  is  it  called  on  that 

account?     It  is  called  Christian. 

26.  If  it  were  not  for  Christ  there  would  be  no  Church.  ■  His  suffer- 

ings and  death  made  the  Church  possible.  Repeat  Eph. 
5:25-27.  "Christ  also  loved  the  Church,  and  gave  Himself  for 
it;  that  He  might  sanctify  and  cleanse  it  with  the  washing  of 
water  by  the  Word,  that  He  might  present  it  to  Himself  a 
glorious  Church,  not  having  spot,  or  wrinkle,  or  any  such 
thing;   but  that  it  should  be  holy  and  without  blemish." 

27.  In  what  other  relation  does  Christ  stand  to  the  Church   besides 

being  its  foundation?     He  is  also  its   Head. 

28.  Repeat  Mat.  2:!: 8.     "One  is  your  Master,  even  Christ;   and   all  ye 

are  brethren." 

29.  What  does  the  name  "Master"  here  mean?     It  means  Lord. 

30.  As  Christians  we  are  under  His  authority.     Whom  do  we  obey? 

We  obey  Christ. 

31.  In  the  Church  His  Word  is  law.     His  life  is  our  pattern.     If  He 

goes  before,  what  should  we  do?     We  should  follow  Him. 

32.  Read  1  Peter  2:21-22.    "For  even  hereunto  were  ye  called:  because 

Christ  also  suffered  for  us,  leaving  us  an  example  that  we 
should  follow  His  steps:  who  did  no  sin,  neither  was  guile 
found   in    His   mouth." 

33.  Read  also  John  13:13.     "Ye  call  me  Master  and  Lord:  and  ye  say 

well;  for  so  I  am." 

34.  (235)     "Where    is    this    Church'  found    on    earth?"      "Where    the 

Word  of  God  is  preached  and  the  Sacraments  are  administered 
according  to  Christ's  institution." 

35.  We  have  seen  that  the  Church  is  invisible,  that  is  that  God  alone 

knows  who  are  members  of  the  Church.  But  there  are  cer- 
tain signs  or  marlvs  by  which  we  can  tell  where  the  Church  is. 
What  is  the  first  thing  to  notice  when  we  are  looking  for  the 
Church?     Where  the  Word  of  God   is  preached. 

36.  When  we  see  people  coming  together  to  preach  and  hear  the  Word 

of  God,  as  what  do  we  regard  such  people?  We  regard  them 
as  Christians. 

37.  They  may  not  all  be  Christians,  but  we  may  be  sure  there  are 

some  Christians  among  them,  because  God  has  promised 
that  His  Word  shall  not  be  preached  in  vain,  as  we  see  from 
Is.  55:10-11.  "For  as  the  rain  cometh  down  and  the  snow 
from  heaven,  and  returneth  not  thither,  but  watereth  the 
earth,  and  maketh  it  bring  forth  and  bud,  that  it  may  give 
seed  to  the  sower,  and  bread  to  the  eater;  so  shall  my  word 
be  that  goeth  out  of  my  mouth:  it  shall  not  return  unto  me 
void,  but  it  shall  accomplish  that  which  I  please,  and  it  shall 
prosper  in   the  thing  whereto    I   sent  it." 


LESSON  71.  246 

oS.  Ill  the  parable  of  the  sower  (l^uke  8:11-15)  the  Lord  tells  us  that 
some  of  the  seed  fell  by  the  wayside,  some  fell  on  stony 
ground,  and  some  fell  among  thorns,  but  not  all  the  seed 
was  wasted.  Where  did  some  also  fall?  Some  fell  on  good 
ground. 

39.  So  there  will  always  be  some  who  believe  God's  Word  when  it  is 

preached.  It  is  therefore  of  great  importance  that  the  Word 
of  God  be  preached.  J'or  what  does  St.  Paul  say?  Rom.  10:17. 
"So  then  faith  cometh  by  hearing,  and  hearing  by  the  Word 
of  God." 

40.  And  it  is  important  that  God's  Word  be  preached  pure,  without 

any  mixture  of  error.  This  is  not  always  the  case,  however. 
There  are  churches  who  preach  God's  Word,  but  along  with 
it  also  preach  human  error.  What  does  the  Savior  say? 
John  8:31-32.  "If  ye  continue  in  my  Word  then  are  ye  my 
disciples  Indeed;  and  ye  shall  know  the  truth  and  the  truth 
shall   make  you  free." 

41.  Faithfulness  to  the  Word  of  Christ  is  a  mark  of  true  discipleship. 

The  Church  is  outwardly  divided  into  many  denominations. 
Can  you  mention  some  of  them?  The  Roman  Catholics,  the 
Lutherans,  the  Methodists,  the  Presbyterians  and  the  Bap- 
tists. 

42.  This  should  not  be.     There  is  only  one  Word  of  God,  one  truth 

unto  salvation.  The  Church  really  is  one.  All  Christians 
have  one  Lord,  one  faith,  one  Baptism,  one  Holy  Spirit  and 
one  home  in  heaven  as  the  apostle  says.  Bph.  4:4-5.  "There 
is  one  body,  and  one  spirit,  even  as  ye  are  called  in  one 
hope  of  your  calling;  one  Lord,  one  faith,  one  Baptism,  one 
God  and  Father  of  all,  who  is  above  all,  and  through  all, 
and  in  you  all." 

43.  Inwardly  all   Christians  are  one,  and   it  is   wrong   that  they  are 

outwardly  so  divided.  These  divisions  are  caused  by  the 
fact  that  some  have  departed  from  the  ])ure  teaching  of  the 
Word  of  God  in  some  respects.  Read  1  Cor.  1:10.  "Now  I 
beseech  you,  brethren,  by  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
that  ye  all  speak  the  same  thing,  and  that  there  be  no  di- 
visions among  you;  but  that  ye  be  perfectly  joined  together 
in  the  same  mind  and  in  the  same  judgment." 

44.  Now  read  Mat.  28:19-20.     "Go  ye  therefore  and  teach  all   nations, 

baptizing  them  in  the  name  of  the  Father  and  of  the  Son 
and  of  the  Holy  Ghost:  Teaching  them  to  observe  all  things 
whatsoever  I  have  commanded  you:  and  lo,  I  am  with  you 
always,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world." 

45.  When  Christ  sent  out  His  disciples  to  establish  the  Church  what 

did  He  tell  them  to  preach?  He  told  them  to  preach  th^ 
Gospel. 

46.  And    in    preaching    the    Gospel    what    should    they    teach?      They 

should  teach  all   things  whatsoever  He  commanded. 

47.  So,  among  all   denominations,   which   is   the  true   Church?     That 

denomination  which  teaches  ail  things  whatsoever  Christ 
has  commanded. 

48.  Where  God's  word  is  preached  pure  and  willingly  received,  there 

is  the  true  Church,  as  the  Savior  says.  John  10:27-28.  "My 
sheep  hear  my  voice,  and  I  know  them,  and  they  follow  me: 
and  I  give  unto  them  eternal  life:  and  they  shall  never 
perish,  neither  shall  any  man   pluck  them  out  of  my  hand." 


246  LESSON  yi.    ■ 

49.  And  this  is  the  church  or  denomination  to  which  we  belong.     By 

what  name  is  it  known?  It  is  called  the  Evangelical 
Lutheran  Church. 

50.  The  term  "Evangelical"  means  Gospel.     Why  is  our  church  called 

the  Gospel  Church.     Because  It  preaches  the  Gospel. 

51.  But  other  churches  also  claim  to  preach  the  Gospel.     Why  should 

our  Church  deserve  this  name  more  than  others?  Because 
it  preaches  the  pure  Gospel. 

52.  By   what    other   name    is   our   Church    known?      It    is   also    called 

Lutheran. 

53.  After    whom    is    it    called    Lutheran?      After    Dr.    Martin    Luther. 

Luther  was  a  great  reformer  who,  under  the  guidance  of  God, 
cleansed  the  church  from  the  errors  of  Popery  and  again  re- 
stored the  pure  Gospel.  We  call  ourselves  Lutheran,  not 
because  we  believe  in  Luther,  but  in  the  truth  which  Luther 
taught.  Now  tell  me  from  question  235  what  is  the  other 
mark  by  which  we  can  tell  where  the  Church  is,  besides  the 
preaching  of  the  Word  of  God?  Where  the  sacraments  are 
administered  according  to  the  institution  of  Christ. 

54.  Where  people  come  together  to  baptize  and  be  baptized,  to  give 

and  receive  the  Lord's  Supper,  what  do  we  call  these  people? 
We  call  them  Christians. 

55.  By  what  sacrament  are  little  children  received  into  the  Church? 

by  the  sacrament  of  Baptism. 

56.  So   where    Baptism    is    administered    there    we    know    must    be   a 

Church,  there  must  be  Christians.  And  where  the  Lord's 
Supper  is  administered  there  Christians  are  strengthened  in 
the  faith  and  we  may  be  sure  there  is  the  Church.  How 
should  the  sacraments  be  administered?  According  to  the 
institution  of  Christ. 

57.  That  means,  just  as  the  Savior  gave  them.     In  which  church  is 

this  done?     In  our  Evangelical   Lutheran  Church. 

58.  And  therefore  what  do  we  believe  concerning  our  Church?     We 

believe  that  she  is  the  true  Church. 

59.  Yes,  the  true  visible  Church  of  Christ  on  earth.     She  teaches  the 

truth,  the  whole  truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth,  and  she 
administers  the  sacraments  according  to  the  institution  of 
Christ.  But  besides  our  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  there 
are  other  churches.  These  churches  also  teach  parts  of  the 
Word  of  God,  but  they  do  not  teach  it  pure.  And  insofar 
as  they  depart  from  the  truth  and  teach  error,  what  kind  of 
churches  are  they?    They  are  false  churches. 

60.  (286)     "Is  it  then  a  matter  of  indifference  to  which  visible  church 

we  belong?"     "By  no  means;  for  churches  teaching  false  doc 
trine  are  to  be  avoided." 

6L  We  often  hear  people  say:  O,  it  makes  no  difference  to  what 
church  we  belong.  We  are  all  aiming  for  the  same  place. 
Does  it  make  any  difference  whether  we  eat  pure  or  adulter- 
ated food,  whether  we  drink  pure  or  impure  water,  whether 
we  breathe  fresh  or  foul  air?     It  certainly  does. 

62.  And  on  that  account  what  should  we  do  with  churches  teaching 
false  doctrine?     We  should  avoid  them. 


LESSON    "^2.  247 

63.  What  does  the  Savior  say  Matth.  7:15?  "Beware  of  false  prophets, 

which  come  to  you  in  sheep's  clothing,  but  inwardly  they  are 
ravening  wolves." 

64.  And  what  does  the  apostle  Paul  say  Rom.  16:17?     "I  beseech  you, 

brethren,  mark  them  which  cause  divisions  and  offences  con- 
trary to  the  doctrine  which  ye  have  learned;  and  avoid  them." 

65.  Repeat  also  Matth.  10:32.::;:J.     "Whosoever  therefore  shall  confess 

me  before  men,  him  will  I  confess  also  before  my  Father 
which  is  in  heaven.  But  whosoever  shall  deny  me  before  xx\^x\, 
him  will   I  also  deny  before  my  Father  which  is  in  heaven." 

66.  Now  read  Tit.  3:10.     "A  man  that  is  an  heretic  after  the  first  and 

second  admonition  reject." 

67.  Also  1  .John  4:1.     "Beloved,  believe  not  every  spirit,  but  try  the 

spirits  whether  they  are  of  God:  because  many  false  prophets 
are  gone  out  into  the  world." 

68.  Again  2  John  10-11.    "if  there  come  any  unto  you,  and  bring  not  this 

doctrine,  receive  him  not  into  your  house,  neither  bid  him 
God  speed:  For  he  that  biddeth  him  God  speed  is  partaker 
of  his  evil  deeds." 

69.  From  all  these  passages  we  see  that  we  should  have  no  religious 

fellowship  with  churches  teaching  false  doctrines.  By  this 
we  do  not  mean  to  say  that  our  Church  is  the  only  saving 
Church  and  that  there  are  no  Christians  except  the  Lutherans. 
But  when  we  worship  and  commune  with  a  Church  we  thereby 
confess  that  we  accept  its  doctrine,  and  why  can  we  not 
make  such  a  confession  with  reference  to  other  churches? 
Because  in  some  things  they  teach  contrary  to  the  Word  of 
God. 


LESSON  72.     THE  FORGIVENESS  OF  SIN,  OR  JUSTIFICATION. 

(Question  237-239.) 

1.  What  is  the  next  truth  which  we  confess  in  the  third  article  of 

the  creed?    "I  believe  the  forgiveness  of  sins." 

2.  (237)     "Why  do  you  say  in  this  article:     'I  believe  the  forgive- 

'  ness  of  sins'?"  "Because  I,  according  to  God's  Word,  most  as- 
suredly hold,  that  God  in  His  Christian  Church  daily  and 
richly  forgives  all  sins  to  me  and  all   believers." 

3.  According  to  what  do  we  hold  or  believe  this  doctrine  of  the  for- 

giveness of  sins?     \ccording  to  the  Word  of  God. 

4.  This    teaching  is   not   something  which   men    have    invented,    but 

it  is  plainly  taught  in  the  Bible.  And  it  is  a  most  precious 
doctrine.  Who  is  it  that  forgives  sins?  It  is  God  who  for- 
gives sins. 

5.  Where  does  God  forgive  sins?     In  his  Christian  Church. 

6.  Outside  of  the  Christian  Church  there  is  no  forgiveness  of  sins. 

To  whom  does  God  forgive  sins?     To   me  and  all   believers. 

7.  How  does  God  forgive  sins?     He  forgives  sins  richly  and  daily. 

8.  What  sins  does  God  forgive?     He  forgives  all  sins. 


248  LESSON  72. 

9.  God  is  so  bountiful  in  iiis  dealings  with  us  that  He  forgives  not 
only  the  small  but  the  great  sins.  And  how  often  does  He 
do  this?     He  does  it  daily. 

10.  We  sin  every  day,  and  on  that  account  what  do  we  need  every 

day?     We  need  forgiveness  every  day. 

11.  (238)     "Why  is  this  necessary?"     "Because   I   then  only  become 

just  before  God,  when  God  forgives  to  me  my  sins." 

12.  What  has  God  threatened  to  do  with  sin?     God  has  threatened  to 

punish   sin. 

13.  If  sin  is  not  to  be  punished,  what  must  be  done  with  it?     It  must 

be  forgiven. 

14.  And  if  it  is  not  forgiven,  what  will  be  done  with  it?     It  will  be 

punished. 

15.  How  does   God  regard   those  whose   sins  He   has  forgiven?      He 

regards  them  as  just. 

16.  When  only  can  God  regard  us  as  just?     When  He  forgives  us  our 

sins. 

17.  Repeat  Psalm  130,  3.4.     "If  thou,   Lord,  shouldst  mark  iniquities, 

O  Lord,  who  shall  stand?  But  there  is  forgiveness  with  thee, 
that  thou  mayest  be  feared." 

18.  If  God  should  regard  iniquities,  that  is,  if  He  should  hold  sins 

against  us  and  punish  us  on  account  of  them,  what  would 
become  of  us?    We  would  be  lost. 

19.  But  what  is  our  hope  when  we  think  of  our  sins?     Our  hope   is 

that  there  is  forgiveness  with  God. 

20.  Read  Psalm  143,2.     "Enter  not  into  judgment  with  thy  servant: 

for  in  thy  sight  shall  no  man  living  be  justified." 

21.  Also  Is.  68,6.     "But  we  are  all  as  an   unclean  thing,  and  all   our 

righteousnesses  are  as  filthy  rags." 

22.  Also  Job  25,4.-6.    "How  can  a  man  be  justified  with  God?    Or  how 

can  he  be  clean  that  is  born  of  a  woman?  Behold  even  to 
the  moon,  and  it  shineth  not;  yea,  the  stars  are  not  pure 
in  his  sight.  How  much  less  man,  that  is  a  worm?  and  the 
son  of  man,  which  is  a  worm? 

23.  From  all  these  passages  we  see  how  very  important  this  doctrine 

of  the  forgiveness  of  sins  is.  The  doctrine  of  justification 
if  the  very  heart  of  the  Gospel.  Without  the  forgiveness  of 
sins  we  cannot  be  saved.  The  only  hope  for  us  poor  sinners 
is  that  God  forgives  sins.  Only  then  can  we  b'e  just  in  the 
sight  of  God.  For  what  is  it  that  makes  us  unjust  before  Him? 
It  is  our  sins. 

24.  The  forgiveness  of  sin  is  the  condition  of  our  justification  before 

God.  When  sin  is  forgiven  how  does  God  regard  us?  He 
regards  us  as  just. 

25.  (239)      "What  then  is  justification?"     "Justification   is  that  act  of 

God  by  which  He,  of  pure  grace,  for  the  sake  of  the  merits  of 
Christ,  pronounces  a  poor  sinner,  who  truly  believes  in  Christ, 
free  from  guilt,  and  declares  him  just." 

26.  Whose  act  is  justification?     Justification   is  the  act  of  God. 


LESSON  72.  249 

27.  God  is  our  judge.     He  alone  can  condemn  or  pardon.     What  is 

it  that  induces  Him  to  pardon  or  forgive  us  poor  sinners? 
He  does  it  out  of  pure  grace. 

28.  Repeat  Rom.  o,  21-24.     "Now  the  righteousness  of  God  without  the 

law  is  manifested,  being  witnessed  by  the  law  and  the 
prophets;  even  the  righteousness  of  God  which  is  by  faith 
of  Jesus  Christ  unto  all  and  upon  all  them  that  believe:  for 
there  is  no  difference:  for  all  have  sinned  and  come  short 
of  the  glory  of  God;  being  justified  freely  by  his  grace 
through  the  redemption  that  is   in   Christ  Jesus." 

29.  God  pities  us  poor  sinners  and  this  pity  induces  him  to  forgive. 

But  He  has  threatened  to  punish  sin.  How  can  He  forgive 
when  He  has  threatened  to  punish?  In  our  answer  just  after 
the  words  "of  pure  grace"  we  are  told  how  He  can  forgive 
in  spite  of  the  fact  that  His  justice  compels  Him  to  punish. 
What  does  our  answer  say?  "For  the  sake  of  the  merits  of 
Christ." 

30.  What  did  Christ  do  that  God  should  forgive  sins  for  His   sake? 

He  suffered  and  died  for  us. 

31.  He  suffered  and  died  to  redeem  us  from  our  sins.     In  the  passage 

just  repeated  we  are  told  how  we  are  justified.  Through  or 
on  account  of  what  are  we  justified  freely?  Through  the 
redemption  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus. 

32.  Whom  does  God  justify  according  to  our  question  239?     He  justi- 

fies a  poor  sinner  who  truly  believes  in  Christ. 

33.  What  kind   of  sinner  is  a   poor   sinner?     When  is  a   man   poor? 

When  he  has  nothing. 

34.  Read  2  Tim.  1,9.    "Who  hath  saved  us,  and  called  us  with  an  holy 

calling,  not  according  to  our  works,  but  according  to  his  own 
purpose  and  grace,  which  was  given  us  in  Christ  Jesus  be- 
fore the  world  began." 

35.  A  poor   sinner   is   one   who   has   nothing  to   depend   on   and   who 

knows  that. there  is  nothing  in  him  that  could  please  God  or 
make  satisfaction  for  sin.  And  how  should  a  man  feel  who 
knows  this?     He  should  feel  sorry. 

36.  Such  a  sinner  was  the  poor  publican  in  the  temple.     Read  what 

is  written  of  him  Luke  18,  13.14.  "The  publican,  standing  afar 
off,  would  not  lift  so  much  as  his  eyes  unto  heaven,  but 
smote  upon  his  breast,  saying,  God  be  merciful  to  me  a 
sinner." 

37.  How  did  he  feel  on   account  of  his  sins?      He  felt   ashamed,   he 

felt  sorry. 

38.  So  a  poor  sinner  is  what  kind  of  sinner?     He  is  one  who  feels 

sorry  for  h's  sins. 

39.  But  what  is  said  in  our  answer  of  the  poor  sinner  to  whom  God 

forgives  sins?     He  truly  believes  in  Christ. 

40.  What  does  such  a   poor  sinner  believe  concerning  Christ,   as  to 

his  person?     He  believes  that  he  is  true  God. 

41.  And   what  does  he  believe  concerning  Christ's   work?     That    He 

died  for  us  and  saved  up  from  our  sins. 

42.  Read  Rom.  3,  28.     "Therefore  we  conclude  that  a  man  is  justified 

by  faith  without  the  deeds  of  the  law." 


250  LESSON  72. 

43.  How  are  we  justified  according  to  this  passage?     We  are  justified 

by  faith. 

44.  Now  read  Rom.  4,5.     "But  to  him  that  worketh  not,  but  believeth 

on  him  that  justifieth  the  ungodly,  his  faith  is  counted  for 
righteousness." 

45.  What  is  here  said  of  faith?     It  is  counted  for  righteousness. 

46.  Read   also   Rom.    10,4.      "For   Christ   is   the    end    of   the    law  for 

righteousness  to  every  one  that  believeth." 

47.  We  are  accounted  righteous  before  God,  not  for  anything  we  have 

done,  but  for  what  Christ  has  done.  And  who  is  thus  ac- 
counted righteous?     Every  one  that  believeth. 

48.  What  does  God  do  to  such  a  poor  sinner  who  truly  believes  in 

Christ  according  to  question  239?  He  pronounces  him  free 
from  guilt  and  declares  him  just. 

49.  What  is  the  first  thing  He  does?     He  pronounces  him  free  from 

guilt. 

50.  Read  Psalm   32,  1.2.     "Blessed    is   he  whose  transgression    is  for- 

given, whose  sin  is  covered.  Blessed  is  the  man  unto  whom 
the  Lord  imputeth  not  iniquity,  and  in  whose  spirit  there  is 
no  guile." 

51.  Compare  with  this  Rom.  4,  6-8.     "Even  as  David  also  describeth 

the  blessedness  of  the  man,  unto  whom  God  imputeth  righte- 
ousness without  works,  saying,  Blessed  are  they  whose  in- 
iquities are  forgiven,  and  whose  sins  are  covered.  Blessed 
is  the  man  to  whom  the  Lord  will  not  impute  sin." 

52.  Read    also   Gen.    15,  6   and    see   what   is   here   written   concerning 

Abraham.  "He  believed  in  the  Lord;  and  he  counted  it  unto 
him  for   righteousness." 

53.  Compare   with    this   Rom.    4,3.     "For   what   saith    the   scripture? 

Abraham  believed  God,  and  it  was  counted  unto  him  for 
righteousness." 

54.  Read  also  Hab.  2,4.    "The  just  shall  live  by  his  faith." 

55.  When  we  believe  in  Christ  what  does  God  do  with  sin  for  Christ's 

sake?     He  forgives  it. 

56.  And  after  jGod  has  pronounced  us  free  from  guilt  what  does  He 

declare  us  to  be?     He  declares  us  to  be  just. 

57.  What  is  it  that  makes  us  unjust  before  God?    Our  sins. 

58.  And  what  must  be  done  with  sin  if  we  are  to  be  just  in  the  sight 

of  God?     it  must  be  forgiven. 

59.  And  how  does  God  regard  us  when  sin  is  forgiven?     He  regards 

us  as  just. 

60.  Why  is  this  forgiveness  of  sins  so  necessary?     It  is  necessary  in 

order  that  we  may  be  saved. 

61.  By  whom  was  this  forgiveness  secured  for  us?     It  was  secured 

for  us  by  Christ. 

62.  How  is  this  forgiveness  offered  to  us?     It  is  offered  to  us  in  the 

Gospel. 

63.  And  how  do  we  accept  it?     We  accept  it  by  faith. 


LESSON    'J^i-  '  251 


LESSON   73.     THE   RESURRECTION   OF   THE   BODY. 
V  (Question  240-241.) 

1.  What  is  the  first  thing  which  we  confess  in  the  third  article  of 

the  Creed?    I  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost. 

2.  What  is  the  second?     I  believe  in  the  holy  Christian  Church,  the 

Communion   of   Saints. 

3.  What  is  the  third?     I  believe  in  the  forgiveness  of  sins. 

4.  Why   is   the   forgiveness   of   sins   necessary?      It    is   necessary    in 

order  that  we  may  be  saved. 

5.  How  was  the  forgiveness  of  sins  secured  for  us?     By  the  suffer- 

ings and  death  of  Christ. 

6;     How  is  this  forgiveness  brought  to  us  and  told  us?     By  the  Gospel. 

7.  How  do  we  take  this  forgiveness  and  make  it  our  own?    Through 

faith. 

8.  This  was  the  suljject  of  our  last  lesson.     Today  we  consider  the 

fourth  thing  which  we  confess  in  the  third  article.  What 
is  it?     I   believe  in  the  resurrection  of  the  body. 

9.  (240)     "Why  do   you   say:      I  believe   in   the   resurrection  of  the 

body?"  "Because  I  according  to  God's  Word  most  assuredly 
hold,  that  God  will  at  the  last  day  raise  up  me  and  all  the 
dead." 

10.  Man  was  made  in  the  image  of  God,  and  that  means,  among  other 

things  also  that  he  was  immortal,  that  is,  not  subject  to 
death.  But  what  awful  thing  took  place  shortly  after  his 
creation?     He  fell  from  God  into  sin. 

11.  What   had    God   threatened    with    reference   to    sin?     Gen.    2, 17. 

"Of  the  tree  of  the  knowledge  of  good  and  evil,  thou  shalt 
not  eat  of  it:  for  in  the  day  that  thou  eatest  thereof  thou 
Shalt  surely  die." 

12.  Now  when  Adam   and  Eve  ate  of  the  forbidden  fruit  what  was 

the  result?     They  became  subject  to  death. 

13.  Yes,  and  as  they  were  now  mortal,  what  effect  had  this  upon  all 

their  offspring?     They  too  became  subject  to  death. 

14.  So  St.  Paul  tells  us  Rom.  5,  12.     "Wherefore  as  by  one  man   sin 

entered  into  the  world,  and  death  by  sin;  and  so  death  passed 
upon  all   men,  for  that  all  have  sinned." 

15.  Of  what  two  parts  is  every  human  being  composed:     Of  body  and 

soul. 

16.  The  soul  lives  in  the  body  ana  is  most  intimately  connected  with 

it.     But  when  the  soul  is  separated  from  the  body,  what  be- 
comes of  man?     He  dies. 

17.  And  how  do  we  dispose  of  the  l)ody  after  death?     We  bury  it  in 

the  earth. 

18.  And  what  becomes  of  the  body  in  the  earth?     it  decays. 

l!t.  So  we  read  Eccles.  12,7.  "Then  shall  the  dust  return  to  the 
earth  as  it  was:  and  the  spirit  shall  return  unto  God  who 
gave  it." 


252  LESSON    'J}^. 

20.  And  this  is  the  end  of  the  body  as  far  as  our  reason  and  experi- 

ence go.  But  Avhat  does  the  Woi'd  of  God  say  of  this  decayed 
body?     It  says  that  it  shall  rise  again. 

21.  Then  wliy  do  you  believe  in  the  resurrection  of  the  body?     Be- 

cause God's  Word  plainly  teaches  it. 

22.  Let  us  hear  what  the  Savior  himself  says  John  5,  28.29.     "Marvel 

not  at  this:  for  the  hour  is  coming,  in  the  which  all  that  are 
in  the  graves  shall  hear  His  voice,  and  shall  come  forth; 
they  that  have  done  good  unto  the  resurrection  of  life;  and 
they  that  have  done  evil,  unto  the  resurrection  of  damnation," 

23.  What  power  does  it  require  to  raise  the  dead?     It  requires  divine 

power. 

24.  Who  then  will  raise  the  dead?     God  will  raise  the  dead. 

25.  What   became   of   Jesus   on   the   third   day   after   His   death   and 

burial?     He  arose  from  the  dead. 

26.  And    because   He,   our  Lord   and    Head,   arose,   what  do   we,   His 

members,  expect?     That  we  too  shall  arise. 

27.  Repeat  1   Cor.  15,  12.     "Now  if  Christ  be  preached  that   He  rose 

from  the  dead,  how  say  some  among  you  that  there  is  no 
resurrection  of  the  dead?" 

28.  Now  also  read  1  Cor.  15,20.     "But  now  is  Christ  risen  from  the 

dead,  and   become  the  first  fruits  of  them  that  slept." 

29.  Even   in  the   Old   Testament  this   precious   doctrine   was   taught. 

What  does  Job  confess?  Job  19,25.26?  "For  I  know  that 
my  Redeemer  liveth,  and  that  he  shall  stand  at  the  latter  day 
upon  the  earth:  and  though  after  my  skin  worms  destroy 
this  body,  yet  in  my  flesh  shall  I  see  God! 

30.  What  does  Jesus  say?  John  11,  25.     "Jesus  said   unto   her,   I   am 

the  resurrection,  and  the  life:  he  that  believeth  in  me, 
though   he  were  dead,  yet  shall   he  live." 

31.  Read  also  John  6,40.     "This  is  the  will  of  Him  that  sent  me,  that 

every  one  who  seeth  the  Son,  and  believeth  on  Him,  may  have 
everlasting  life:    and   I  will  raise  him  us  at  the  last  day." 

32.  And   the    54th   verse   of   the    same    chapter.      "Whoso    eateth    my 

flesh,  and  drinketh  my  blood,  hath  eternal  life;  and  I  will 
raise  him  up  at  the  last  day. 

33.  Read  also  Luke  20,  37.38.     "Now  that  the  dead  are   raised,  even 

Moses  shewed  at  the  bush,  when  he  called  the  Lord  the  God 
of  Abraham,  and  the  God  of  Isaac,  and  the  God  of  Jacob. 
For  he  is  not  a  God  of  the  dead,  but  of  the  living:  for  all 
live  unto   him." 

34.  Which  dead  shall  be  raised?     All  the  dead. 

35.  This  the  Savior  plainly  says  John  5,  28.     "The  hour  is  coming  in 

the  which  all  that  are  in  the  graves  shall  hear  his  voice 
and  shall  come  forth." 

36.  When  shall  this  resurrection  take  place?     At  the  last  day. 

37.  Let  us  see  a  few  examples  of  dead  who  were  raised.     Whom  did 

the  prophet  Elijah  raise  from  the  dead?  1  Kings  17,17-24. 
He  raised  the  son  of  the  widow  with  whom  he  stayed. 


LESSON  73.  253 

:;8.  Read  2  Kings  13,21.  "It  came  to  pass  as  they  were  burying  a 
man,  that,  behold,  they  spied  a  band  of  men;  and  they  cast 
the  man  into  the  sepulcher  of  Elisha;  and  when  the  man  was 
let  down,  and  touched  the  bones  of  Elisha,  he  revived,  and 
stood  up  on  his  feet." 

39.  Now  let  us  see  a  few  cases  of  dead  whom  Jesus  raised.     Accoi'd- 

ing  to  Luke  7,  14.15,  whom  did  Jesus  raise  from  the  dead? 
The  widow's  son  at  Nain. 

40.  And  according  to  Marlv  5,  42  whom  did  He  raise?     The  daughter 

of  Jairus. 

41.  And   according   to   John   11,43    whom    did   he   raise?      His   friend 

Lazarus. 

42.  Even  the  apostles  raised  the  dead.     According  to  Acts  9,  36  and 

following,  whom  did  Peter  raise  from  the  dead?  A  disciple 
called  Tabitha,  or  Dorcas. 

43.  And  according  to  Acts  20,  9,  10,  whom  did  Paul  bring  back  to  life? 

A  young  man  named  Eutychus. 

44.  So  we  see  the  resurrection  of  the  dead  is  possible.     In  numerous 

cases  the  dead  were  raised,  as  for  instance  at  the  death  of 
Jesus,  as  we  read  Mat.  27,  52.53.  "The  graves  were  opened; 
and  many  bodies  of  the  saints  which  slept  arose,  and  came 
out  of  the  graves  after  the  resurrection,  and  went  into  the 
holy  city,  and  appeared  unto  many." 

45.  We  believe  in  the  resurrection  of  the  body,  and  we  believe  this 

on  the  evidence  of  the  Word  of  God.  No  matter  what  the 
unbelieving  may  say,  the  general  resurrection  of  all  the  dead 
at  the  last  day  is  plainly  taught  in  holy  Scripture,  and  it  is 
a  most  precious  doctrine.  It  is  so  important  that  since 
the  age  of  the  apostles  the  Church  has  confessed  it.  And 
where  does  the  church  make  this  confession?  In  the  third 
article  of  the  creed. 

46.  (241)     "With   what   difference   will   they   rise?"  "They   that    have 

done  good,  shall  come  forth  unto  the  resurrection  of  life,  and 
they  that  have  done  evil,  unto  the  resurrection  of  damnation." 

47.  This  the  Savior  plainly  teaches  in  the  passage  repeated  a  while 

ago,  John  5,  28.29.  What  difference  does  the  Savior  say  there 
shall  be  between  those  who  rise?  Some  shall  arise  to  ever- 
lasting life,  others  to  everlasting  damnation. 

48.  Who  shall  rise  to  everlasting  life?     They  that   have  done   good. 

49.  And  who  shall  rise  to  everlasting  damnation?     They  that   have 

done  evil. 

50.  They  that  have  done  good  are  those  who,  by  faith  in  Christ,  are 

accounted  good  and  just  before  God  and  here  on  earth 
already  begin  to  lead  a  good  or  holy  life.  How  shall  they 
rise?    They  shall  rise  unto  everlasting  life. 

51.  Daniel   tells    us    the    same   thing.    Chapter   12,2.      "Many   of   them 

that  sleep  in  the  dust  of  the  earth  shall  awake,  some  to 
everlasting  life,  and  some  to  shame  and  everlasting  con- 
tempt." 


254  LESSON  74. 

52.  Now  let  us  see  what  the   Scriptures   say   with   refei'ence   to  the 

bodies  of  the  just  at  the  resurrection.  Repeat  Phil.  3,  20.21. 
"Our  conversation  is  in  heaven;  from  whence  also  we  look 
for  the  Savior,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ:  who  shall  change  our 
vile  body,  that  it  may  be  fashioned  like  unto  his  glorious 
body,  according  to  the  working  whereby  he  is  able  to  subdue 
all  things  unto  himself." 

53.  How  will. our  bodies  be  fashioned?     They  will   be  fashioned   like 

His,  the  Savior's,  glorious  body. 

54.  They  will  be  perfect,  pure,  beautiful,  strong  and  healthy.     In  fact, 

the  image  of  God  will  then  be  restored  in  us  not  only  as  to 
our  souls  but  in  what  other  way?    As  to  our  bodies. 

55.  The  bodies  of  the  just  will  not  be  weakly,  sick,  blind,  deaf,  maimed, 

as  they  often  are  in  this  world,  but  how  will  they  be?  They 
will  be  perfect. 

56.  Read  1  Cor.  15,  41-44.     "There  is  one  glory  of  the  sun,  and  another 

glory  of  the  moon,  and  another  glory  of  the  stars:  for  one 
star  differeth  from  another  star  in  glory.  So  also  is  the 
resurrection  of  the  dead.  It  is  sown  in  corruption;  it  is 
raised  in  incorruption:  it  is  sown  in  dishonor;  it  is  raised 
in  glory:  it  is  sown  in  weakness;  It  is  raised  in  power:  It 
is  sown  a  natural  body;   it  is  raised  a  spiritual  body." 

57.  What  is  said  of  the  just  in  Luke  20,  36.    "Neither  can  they  die  any 

more;  for  they  are  equal  unto  the  angels;  and  are  the  chil- 
dren of  the  resurrection." 

58.  What  does  the  Savior  here  say  of  the  just  after  the  resurrection? 

They  cannot  die. 

59.  Their  bodies  are  immortal.     But  what  does   He  say,  John   5.  29, 

of  the  wicked?  They  shall  arise  to  shame  and  everlasting 
contempt. 

60.  They,  too,  shall  arise,  but  not  in  glorified  bodies,  but  rather  in 

horrid  bodies,  in  whom  are  seen  the  results  of  sin  and  vice, 
as  is  often  the  case  even  in  this  world.  What  effect  does 
the  sin  of  drunkenness  have  on  the  body,  for  instance,  on 
the  face?     It  makes  the  face  red  and  bloated. 

61.  On  the  eyes?     It  makes  them  bloodshot  and  watery. 

62.  On  the  limbs?     It  makes  them  weak  and  tottering. 

63.  And  so  with  other  sins.     These  awful  results  will  appear  in  much 

greater  measure  at  the  resurrection,  so  that  the  wicked  will 
be  objects  of  horror  to  look  upon.  Read  Is.  66,  24,  the  last 
clause  of  the  verse.  What  is  said  here  of  the  wicked? 
"They  shall  be  an  abhorring  unto  all  flesh." 


LESSON  74.     ETERNAL   LIFE. 
(Question  242-24.'!.) 

In  our  last  lesson  we  spoke  of  the  resurrection  of  the  body.  What 
is  the  last  thing  which  you  confess  under  the  third  article? 
I  believe  in  the  life  everlasting. 

(242)  "Why  do  you  say:  I  Ijelieve  the  life  everlasting?"  "Be- 
c~use  I  according  to  God's  Word  most  assuredly  hold,  that  He 
will   give  unto  me  and  all   believers  in  Christ  eternal    life." 


LESSON  74.  255 

:i.  In  Luke  10, 19-:J1  we  are  told  the  story  of  the  rich  man  and  poor 
Lazarus.  When  the  rich  man  died,  what  became  of  his  soul? 
It  went  to  hell. 

4.  And  when  Lazarus  died  what  became  of  his  soul?     It  was  carried 

by  the  angels  into  Abraham's  bosom. 

5.  That  is,  it  was  taken  to  heaven.    So  what  do  we  see  with  reference 

to  the  lives  of  both  after  death?  They  both  existed  after 
death. 

6.  All  men  naturally  have  a  desire  to  live  after  death,  and  all  people, 

no  matter  how^  degraded,  have  some  idea  of  a  life  beyond 
the  grave.  But  our  faith  in  eternal  life  is  not  a  mere  vague 
notion  of  this  kind,  but  upon  what  do  we  base  our  faith  in 
eternal  life?     We  base  it  on  God's  Word. 

7.  Let  us  now  hear  some  passages  of  Scripture  on  this  subject.    Re- 

peat Mat.  25,  46.  "These  shall  go  away  into  everlasting  pun- 
ishment: but  the  righteous  into  life  eternal." 

8.  What  then  becomes  of  the  wicked  after  the  judgment?    They  shall 

go  away  into  everlasting  punishment. 

9.  And    what   is    said    of    the    righteous?      They    shall    go    into    life 

eternal. 

10.  So  we  see  for  both  there  is  an  eternal  existence.     Man  does  not 

cease  to  exist  at  death.  Now  let  us  consider  the  existence 
of  the  righteous  after  death.  What  does  the  Savior  say  of 
of  the  righteous?  John  10,27.28:  "My  sheep  hear  my  voice, 
and  I  know  them,  and  they  follow  me:  and  I  give  unto  them 
eternal  life;  and  they  shall  never  perish,  neither  shall  any 
man  pluck  them  out  of  my  hand." 

11.  What    does    the    Savior    here    promise    to    give    his    sheep?      He 

promises  to  give  them  eternal  life. 

12.  Life  is  the  most  precious  gift  we  have.     All  else  that  a  man  has 

he  would  give  to  save  his  life.  Many  a  rich  man  would  give 
thousands,  even  millions,  to  add  a  single  year  to  his  life. 
But  what  kind  of  life  does  the  Savior  here  promise  his  peo- 
ple?    He  promises  them  eternal  life. 

13.  That   is,    a    life   that   never   ends.      Repeat   John    3,  16.      "God    so 

loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his  only  begotten  Son,  that 
whosoever  believeth  in  Him  should  not  perish  but  have  ever- 
lasting  life." 

14.  What  is  here  said  of  those  who  believe  in'  Christ?     They  shall 

not  perish  but  have  everlasting  life. 

15.  That  is,  a  life  that  never  ends.     Repeat  also  Heb.  13,14.     "Here 

have  we   no  continuing  city,  but  we  seek  one  to  come." 

16.  We  can  not  live  in  this  world  always.     If  we  have  no  continuing 

place  in  this  world,  what  should  we  do?  We  should  seek  one 
to  come. 

17.  And  that  is  in  Heaven.     Now  let  us  see  how  this  life  that  never 

ends  is  further  described  in  the  Scriptures.  Repeat  1  Cor. 
2,9.  "Eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither  have  entered 
into  the  heart  of  man,  the  things  which  God  hath  prepared 
for  them  that  love  Him." 


256  LESSON  74. 

18.  It  is  impossible  to  give  an  accurate  description  of  Heaven  be- 

cause it  is  far  beyond  anything  that  any  man  has  ever  seen 
or  heard.  And  yet  there  are  some  things  which  God  has 
clearly  revealed  to  us  concerning  Heaven.  Among  other 
things  we  know  that  in  Heaven  there  will  be  no  evil.  This 
world  is  a  vale  of  tears,  a  place  of  sorrow.  But  what  is  said 
of  the  world  to  come  in  Rev.  21,4?  "God  shall  wipe  away 
all  tears  from  their  eyes;  and  there  shall  be  no  death,  neither 
sorrow,  nor  crying,  neither  shall  there  be  any  more  pain: 
for  the  former  things  are  passed  away." 

19.  What  things  shall  not  be  in  Heaven?     No  death,  no  sorrow,   no 

tears,  no  pain. 

20.  What  kind  of  place  then  must  Heaven  be?     It  must  be  a  happy 

place. 

21.  Read  also  2  Tim.  4,  18.     "The  Lord  shall  deliver  me  from  every 

evil  work,  and  will  preserve  me  unto  his  heavenly  kingdom." 

22.  O  what  a  happy  prospect,  to  be  delivered  from  all  evil!     But  we 

know  more  about  Heaven.  Man  was  made  in  the  image  of 
God.  In  what  did  this  image  of  God  consist?  You  will  find 
the  answer  imder  question  16*:.  "In  the  perfection  of  the 
whole   man,   chiefly   in    righteousness   and   true    holiness." 

23.  Now  repeat  1  John  3,  2.     "Beloved,  now  are  we  the  sons  of  God, 

and  it  doth  not  yet  appear  what  we  shall  be;  but  we  know 
that,  when  He  shall  appear,  we  shall  be  like  Him;  for  we 
shall  see  Him  as  He  is." 

24.  The  passage  says  we  shall,  in  heaven,  be  like  Him,  like  whom? 

Like  the  Savior. 

25.  And  the  Savior  is  true  God,  so  that  means  we  shall  be  like  whom? 

We  shall  be  like  God.  The  image  of  God  in  which  we  were 
created  and  which  we  lost  by  the  fall,  shall  be  restored 
in  us. 

26.  We  have  believed  in  the  Savior  and  served  Him  in  this  world  even 

without  seeing  Him.  He  is  our  best  friend.  What  else  does 
the  apostle  say  of  the  Savior  besides  that  we  shall  be  like 
Him?     We  shall  see  Him  as  He  is. 

27.  And  that  will  be  our  greatest  happiness  to  see  Him  and  be  with 

Him  whom  we  love  and  serve.  As  we  have  seen,  the  lost 
image  of  God  consisted  in  the  perfection  of  the  whole  man. 
So  in  Heaven,  how  will  the  whole  man  be?  He  will  be 
perfect. 

28.  Yes,  perfect  in  body  and   soul.     But  the  image  of  God   consists 

principally  in  righteousness  and  true  holiness.  Now  let  us 
see  how  this  righteousness  will  be  restored  in  us  in  the  life 
to  come.  Read  Psalms  17,  1.5.  "As  for  me,  I  will  behold  thy 
face  in  righteousness:  I  shall  be  satisfied,  when  I  awake, 
with  thy  likeness." 

29.  Heaven  is  a  place  of  righteousness,  as  we  learn  from  2  Peter  3.  To. 

"Nevertheless  we,  according  to  His  promise,  look  for  new 
heavens  and  a   new  earth,  wherein   dwelleth   righteousness." 

oO.     How  are  those  who  see  God  described  in  Mat.  5.8?     "Blessed  are 
the  pure  in  heart:  for  they  shall  see  God." 


Lesson  74.  257 

31.  Another  part  of  the  image  oT  God  is  knowledge  of  God  and  divine 

things.  Read  what  is  written  1  Cor.  lo,  12.  "Now  we  see 
through  a  glass,  darkly;  but  then  face  to  face:  now  I  know 
in  part;   but  then  shall   I  know  even  as  I  am  known." 

32.  Heaven  is  a  place  where  there  is  no  sin,  and  where  the  image 

of  God  is  restored  in  us.  what  kind  of  place  must  it  be?  It 
must  be  a  place  of  happiness. 

33.  Yes,  it  is  a  place  of  perfect  happiness  and  pure  pleasure,  as  we 

see  from  Ps.  16,11.  "In  thy  presence  is  fullness  of  joy;  at 
thy  right  hand  there  are  pleasures  forevermore." 

34.  Instead  of  sorrow  there  shall  be  joy,  as  we  see  from  Luks  6,  21. 

"Blessed  are  ye  that  hunger  now:  for  ye  shall  be  filled. 
Blessed  are  ye  that  weep  now:  for  ye  shall   laugh." 

35.  Read  also  Ps.  128,5.6.     "They  that  sow  in  tears  shall   reap  in  joy. 

He  that  goeth  forth  and  weepeth,  bearing  precious  seed, 
shall  doubtless  some  again  with  rejoicing,  bringing  his 
sheaves  with  him." 

36.  In  Heaven  there  shall  be  perfect  rest,  as  we  see  from  Rev.  14,  13. 

"I  heard  a  voice  from  Heaven  saying  unto  me,  write,  blessed 
are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord  from  henceforth:  yea, 
saith  the  Spirit,  that  they  rest  from  their  labors;  and  their 
works  do  follow  them." 

37.  For  all  the  sufferings  of  this  world  there  shall  be  joy  and  peace. 

So  St.  Paul  comforted  himself  Rom.  8, 18.  I  reckon  that  the 
sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared 
with  the  glory  which  shall  be  revealed  in  us." 

38.  God  will  even  reward  his  children  for  their  faithful  service  in  this 

world,  although  of  course  it  is  a  reward  not  of  merit  but  of 
grace.  Read  what  is  written  Mat.  25,21.  "His  Lord  said 
unto  him.  Well  done,  thou  good  and  faithful  servant:  thou 
hast  been  faithful  over  a  few  things,  I  will  make  thee  ruler 
over  many  things:    enter  thou   into  the  joy  of  the  Lord." 

39.  Also  the  34th  verse  of  the  same  chapter:      "Then  shall  the  king 

say  unto  them  on  his  right  hand,  come,  ye  blessed  of  my 
father,  inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  for  you  from  the  foun- 
dation  of  the  world." 

40.  Read  also  Rev.  2,  10,  the  last  clause.     "Be  thou  faithful  unto  death, 

and  I  will   give  thee  a  crown  of  life." 

41.  Eternal    life    is    a    glorious    life,    as    we    learn   from    2    Tim.    4,  8. 

"Henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of  righteousness, 
which  the  Lord,  the  righteous  judge,  shall  give  me  at  that 
day:  and  not  to  me  only,  but  unto  all  them  also  that  love 
His  appearing." 

42.  Read  also  Mat.   13,  43.     "Then   shall   the   righteous   shine  forth   as 

the  sun  in  the  kingdom  of  their  Father. 

43.  What  did   the   Savior  say   to   the  malefactor  beside   Him   on   the 

cross?  Luke  23,43.  "Verily  I  say  unto  thee,  today  shalt  thou 
be  with  me  in  paradise." 

44.  What  kind  of  place  is  paradise?     A  place  of  beauty  and  of  hap- 

piness. 

45.  In  Rev.  21  we  have  a  description  of  the  new  world,  the  holy  city. 

the  new  Jerusalem.  What  do  all  these  expressions  refer  to? 
They  refer  to  heaven. 

17 


258  Lesson  74. 

46.  Here  some  of  the  glories  of  heaven  are  described.     Heaven  is  a 

place  of  perfect  happiness,  of  everlasting  joy,  and  yet  there 
will  be  degrees  of  happiness,  as  we  see  from  2  Cor.  9,  6.  "But 
this  I  say,  he  that  soweth  sparingly,  shall  reap  also  sparingly; 
and  he  which  soweth  bountifully  shall  reap  also  bountifully." 

47.  Read  also  1  Cor.  15,  41.42.     "There   is  one  glory  of  the  sun,  and 

another  glory  of  the  moon,  and  another  glory  of  the  stars; 
for  one  star  differeth  from  another  star  in  glory.  So  also  is 
the  resurrection  of  the  dead." 

48.  Let  us  see  what  Daniel  says  on  this  subject.     Dan.  12,  3.     "And 

they  that  be  wise  shall  shine  as  the  brightness  of  the  firma- 
ment; and  they  that  turn  many  to  righteousness  as  the  stars 
for  ever  and  ever." 

49.  Also  Mat.  19,  28.     "And  Jesus  said   unto  them,  verily   1   say  unto 

you,  that  ye  which  have  followed  me  in  the  regeneration 
when  the  Son  of  Man  shall  sit  in  the  throne  of  his  glory, 
ye  also  shall  sit  upon  twelve  thrones,  judging  the  twelve 
tribes  of  Israel." 

50.  (243)     "Who  will  certainly  attain  to  this  life  everlasting?"     "All 

they  who  continue  in  true  faith  unto  the  end." 

51.  When  we  learn  that  heaven  is  a  place  of  freedom  from  sin  and 

suffering,  a  place  of  purity  and  happiness,  we  can  not  but 
have  a  desire  to  get  there.  And  therefore  this  question  243 
is  a  very  important  one.  Of  what  does  it  treat?  It  treats 
of  how  to  get  to  heaven. 

52.  Yes,  and  of  how  to  be  certain  about  it,  for  in  a  matter  of  such 

importance  we  must  not  be  in  doubt.  What  must  we  do  to 
be  saved  in  heaven  forever?  We  must  believe  in  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ. 

53.  So  we  read  Acts  16,31.     "Believe  on  the   Lord  Jesus  Christ  and 

thou  Shalt  be  saved  and  thy  house." 

54.  But  not  only  for  a  time  must  we  believe,  but  what  does  the  Savior 

himself  say?  Mat.  24,13.  "He  that  shall  endure  unto  the 
end  the  same  shall  be  saved." 

55.  And  to  whom  is  the   crown  of  life   promised   according  to   Rev. 

2,10?  The  latter  half.  "Be  thou  faithful  unto  death,  and  I 
will  give  thee  a  crown  of  life." 

56.  They  who  only  for  a  time  believe  and  then  fall  away  will  lose 

the  crown.  What  should  we  therefore  be  anxious  about? 
We  should  be  anxious  to  keep  the  faith  to  the  end. 

57.  Repeat  Mat.  25,34.     "Then  shall  the  king  say  unto  them  on   his 

right  hand.  Come  ye  blessed  of  my  Father,  inherit  the  king- 
dom prepared  for  you  from  the  foundation  of  the  world." 

58.  Heaven  with  its  happiness  and  glory  is  not  a  reward  of  merit 

but  a  free  gift  of  grace.  What  will  the  King  say  to  those  on 
His  right  hand  as  to  how  they  are  to  get  the  kingdom?  They 
are  to  inherit  it. 

59.  An  inheritance  is  a  free  gift.     Eternal  life  is  a  thing  not  to  be 

earned  but  how  are  we  to  get  it?     As  a  free  gift. 


LESSON  75.  259 


LESSON  75.      ELECTION. 
(Question  244-24G.) 

1.  (244)     "What  now  is  the  divine  election  of  grace?"     "Divine  elec- 

tion is  that  act  of  God,  by  which  He,  from  eternity,  according 
to  the  purpose  of  His  will,  of  pure  grace  and  mercy,  decreed, 
to  save  everlastingly  all  those  who  would  perservingly  believe 
in  Christ." 

2.  We  have  already  seen  that  our  salvation  is  entirely  the  work  of 

God.  He  saves  us,  and  does  it  out  of  pure  mercy.  But  God 
is  eternal,  the  same  yesterday,  today,  and  forever.  What 
He  does  in  time  he  decreed,  or  determined  to  do,  from 
eternity.  Whom  does  God  save  in  time?  All  those  who  be- 
believe  in  Christ  to  the  end. 
0.  Then  whom  did  God  from  all  eternity  decree  to  save?  All  those 
who  believe  in  Christ  to  the  end. 

4.  It  is  a  great  comfort  that  God  thought  of  us  from  all  eternity, 

that  foreseeing  our  fall  into  sin,  he  determined  in  the  fulness 
of  time  to  send  his  Son  as  our  redeemer,  to  offer  us  free 
salvation  through  the  Gospel  and  to  save  all  those  of  whom 
He  foresaw  that  by  His  grace  they  would  accept  the  pardon 
offered.  Then  whom  did  God  from  all  eternity  decree  to 
save?  All  those  of  whom  he  foreknew  that  they  would  be- 
lieve in  Christ  to  the  end. 

5.  What  induced  God  to  pass  this  decree?     He  did  it  from  pure  grace 

and  mercy. 

6.  When    did    God    form    this    decree?      He    decreed    this    from    all 

eternity. 

7.  What  object  had  God  in  forming  this  decree?     He  did   it  to  the 

praise  of  His  glorious  grace. 

8.  Now  let  us  see  how  St.  Paul  presents  this  doctrine  Bph.    1,  3-6. 

"Blessed  be  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
who  hath  blessed  us  with  all  spiritual  blessings  in  heavenly 
places  in  Christ:  according  as  He  hath  chosen  us  in  Hfm 
before  the  foundation  of  the  world,  that  we  should  be  holy 
and  without  blame  before  Him  in  love:  having  predestinated 
us  unto  the  adoption  of  children  by  Jesus  Christ  to  himself, 
according  to  the  good  pleasure  of  His  will,  to  the  praise  of 
the  glory  of  His  grace,  wherein  He  hath  made  us  accepted 
in  the   Beloved." 

9.  Here  we  see  that  God  has  chosen  us  before  the  foundation  of  the 

world,  and  predestinated  us  to  the  adoption  of  children.  Now 
repeat  2  Thes.  2, 13.  "We  are  bound  to  give  thanks  always 
to  God  for  you,  brethren,  beloved  of  the  Lord,  because  God 
hath  from  the  beginning  chosen  you  to  salvation  through 
sanctification   of  the  Spirit  and   belief  of  the  truth." 

10.  This  eternal  decree  of  God  was  based  upon  His  foreknowledge. 
God  from  eternity  foreknows  the  future  as  well  as  the  past. 
In  fact, 'with  Him  there  is  no  future  and  no  past,  but  all 
things  are  forever  present.  His  eternal  decree  to  save  certain 
1  ersons  is  based  upon  his  foreknowledge  that  they  would  by 
His  grace  come  to  faith  and  continue  in  faitli  to  Mic  end. 
This  we  see  fi'om  Rom.  8,  29.  "Whom  He  did  foreknow,  he 
also  did  predestinate  to  be  conformed  to  the  image  of  His 
Son,  that  He  might  be  the  first  born  among  many  brethren." 


260  LESSON  75. 

11.  What  was  it  that  in  the  foreknowledge  of  God  made  the  differ- 

ence between  those  who  were  to  be  saved  and  those  who 
were  not  to  be  saved?  Persevering  faith  made  this  dif- 
ference. 

12.  God's  good  and  gracious  will  is  to  save  all  who  perseveringly  be- 

lieve in  Christ,  as  we  see  fi'om  John  6,  40.  "This  is  the  will 
of  Him  that  sent  me,  that  every  one  which  seeth  tiie  Son, 
and  believeth  on  Him,  may  have  everlasting  life:  and  I  will 
raise  him  up  at  the  last  day." 

13.  Not  all  meji  will  be  saved,  as  we  see  from  Mat.  22, 14.     "Many  are 

called  but  few  are  chosen." 

14.  God   chose    only   few   because   He   foresaw   that   only   few   would 

accept  the  grace  offered  to  all  in  the  Gospel.  The  reason 
for  this  choice  was  not  that  these  were  naturally  better  than 
those  who  were  not  chosen,  for  naturally  all  men  are  alike 
in  tresspasses  and  sin.  Faith  is  not  a  good  work,  that  on 
its  account  God  chose  those  in  whom  He  foresaw  it.  Noth- 
ing in  us  caused  God  to  choose  us,  as  we  see  from  2  Tim.  1,  9. 
"Who  hath  saved  us,  and  called  us  with  an  holy  calling,  not 
according  to  .our  works,  but  according  to  His  own  purpose 
and  grace,  which  was  given  us  in  Christ  Jesus  before  the 
world  began." 

15.  From  Mat.  25,  34  we  see  that  eternal  life  is  given  as  an  inheri- 

tance, not  as  a  reward.  "Then  shall  the  King  say  unto  them 
on  his  right  hand.  Come,  ye  blessed  of  my  Father;  inherit 
the  kingdom  prepared  for  you  from  the  foundation  of  the 
world." 

16.  God  has  chosen  us  "in  Christ,"  as  we  have  already  seen,  Eph.  1, 

3-6,  and  there  is  no  way  of  being  in  Christ  but  by  faith  in 
Him.  He  is  the  true  book  of  life  and  all  true  believers  are 
written  in  Him  as  we  see  from  Phil.  4,  3.  "I  intreat  thee 
also,  true  yokefellow,  help  those  women  which  labored  with 
me  in  the  Gospel,  with  Clement  also,  and  with  other  my 
fellowlaborers,  whose  names  are  in  the  book  of  life." 

17.  Read  also  Rev.  20, 15.     "Whosoever  was  not  found  written  in  the 

book  of  life  was  cast  into  the  lake  of  fire." 

18.  Likewise  Luke  10,20.     "Notwithstanding   in  this  rejoice  not,  that 

the  spirits  are  subject  unto  you;  but  rather  rejoice,  because 
your  names  are  written  in  heaven." 

19.  (245)     "Is  it  not  God's  earnest  will  that  all   should   be  saved?" 

"Most  assuredly;  for  the  mercy  of  God,  the  merits  of  Christ, 
and  the  call  of  the  Holy  Ghost  pertain  to  all  men  without  ex- 
ception." 

20.  It  is  the  good  and  gracious  will  of  God  to  save  all  men.     In  this 

answer  to  question  245,  what  is  said  of  the  grace  of  God? 
It  pertains  to  all  men. 

21.  That  is,  it  extends  over  all  men.     Read  Ezech.  33,  11.     "Say  unto 

them,  as  I  live,  saith  the  Lord  God,  I  have  no  pleasure  in  the 
death  of  the  wicked;  but  that  the  wicked  turn  from  his  way 
and  live;  turn  ye  from  your  evil  ways;  for  why  will  ye  die, 
O  house  of  Israel?" 

22.  The  mercy,  or  love,  of  God  extends  over  all  men,  as  we  see  from 

John  3.  H!.  "God  so  loved  the  world  that  He  gave  his  only 
begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  believeth  in  Him  should  not 
perish,  but  have  everlasting  life." 


LESSON    75.  261 

23.  Whom  would  God  save  according  to  1  Tim.  2,  4?    "Who  will  have 

all  men  to  be  saved,  and  to  come  unto  the  knowledge  of  the 
truth." 

24.  Read  also  2   Peter  .'!,  H.     "The   Lord    is   not  slack  concerning    His 

promise,  as  some  men  count  slackness;  but  is  long-suffering 
to  usward,  not  willing  that  any  should  perish,  but  that  all 
should  come  to   repentance." 

25.  Over  whom   docs   God's   mercy   extend   according   to   Horn.  11, 152? 

"God  hath  concluded  them  all  in  unbelief,  that  he  might  have 
mercy  upon  all." 

2G.  God  is  ready  to  receive  all  who  come  to  Him  in  true  repentance, 
as  we  see  from  John  6,  .".7.  "All  that  the  Father  giveth  me 
shall  come  to  me;  and  him  that  cometh  to  me  I  will  in  no 
wise  cast  out." 

27.  Read  also  Rom.  10,  11.  12.  1.3.     "The  scripture  saith,  whosoever  be- 

lieveth  on  Him  shall  not  be  ashamed.  For  there  is  no  dif- 
ference between  the  Jew  and  the  Greek:  for  the  same  Lord 
over  all  is  rich  unto  all  that  call  upon  Him.  For  whosoever 
shall  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord  shall  be  saved." 

28.  Also  Rom.   5,  20,  the  second  half  of  the  verse.     "But  where   sin 

abounded,  grace  did  much  more  abound." 

29.  None  are  so  deeply  fallen  that  God  would  not  and  could  not  save 

them.  Read  Is.  1,  18.  "Come  now  let  us  reason  together, 
saith  the  Lord:  though  your  sins  be  as  scarlet,  they  shall  be 
as  white  as  snow;  though  they  be  red  like  crimson,  they  shall 
be  as  wool." 

:J0.  But  not  only  does  the  grace  of  God  extend  over  all,  but  what  else, 
according  to  our  question  245,  extends  over  all  men?  The 
merits  of  Christ. 

ol.     That  is,  for  whom  did  Christ  die?     Christ  died  for  all  men. 

?,2.  This  we  see  from  the  following  passages.  Read  1  John  2,  1.2. 
"My  little  children,  these  things  write  I  unto  you,  that  ye 
sin  not.  And  if  any  man  sin,  we  have  an  advocate  with  the 
Father,  Jesus  Christ  the  righteous:  and  He  is  the  propitiation 
for  our  sins:  and  not  for  ours  only,  but  also  for  the  sins  of 
the  whole  world." 

33.  Read    also    1    Tim.    4,  10.      "Therefore    we    both    labor   and    suffer 

reproach,  because  we  trust  in  the  living  God,  who  is  the 
Savior  of  all  men,  especially  of  those  that  believe." 

34.  Also  1  Tim.  2,  5.6.     "There  is  one  God,  and  one  mediator  between 

God  and  men,  the  man  Christ  Jesus;  who  gave  himself  a 
ransom  for  all  to  be  testified  in  due  time." 

35.  Christ  died   even   for   those   who  on   account   of  their   persistent 

unbelief  will  not  be  saved,  as  we  see  from  2  Peter  2, 1. 
"There  were  false  prophets  among  the  people,  even  as  there 
shall  be  false  teachers  among  you,  who  privily  shall  bring 
in  damnable  heresies,  even  denying  the  Lord  that  bought 
them,  and  bring  unto  themselves  swift  destruction." 

3f).  Christ  is  the  lamlj  of  God  and,  according  to  John  1,29,  whose 
sins  does  he  take  away?  "The  next  day  John  seeth  Jesus 
coming  unto  him,  and  saith,  behold  the  Lamb  of  God,  which 
taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world." 


262  LESSON  75. 

37.  Read  also  2  Cor.  5, 14.     "The  love  of  Christ  constraineth  us,  be- 

cause we  thus  judge,  that  if  one  died  for  all  then  were  all 
dead." 

38.  Christ  is  the  Savior  of  the  world,  as  we  see  from  John  4,  42.    What 

did  the  people  of  Samaria  say  to  the  woman  who  told  them 
about  Jesus  being  the  Messiah?  "Now  we  believe,  not  be- 
cause of  thy  saying:  for  we  have  heard  Him  ourselves,  and 
know  that  this  is  indeed  the  Christ,  the  Savior  of  the  world." 

39.  According  to  our  answer  245  not  only  the  grace  of  God  and  the 

merits  of  Christ,  but  what  else  extends  over  all  men?  The 
call  of  the   Holy  Ghost  also  extends  over  ail   men. 

40.  That  is,  not  only  is   God  anxious  to  save  all  and  not  only  did 

Christ  die  for  all,  but  in  the  Gospel  the  Holy  Ghost  offers 
salvation  to  all.  This  we  see  from  Mat.  11,  28.  "Come  unto 
me  all  ye  that  labour  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give 
you  rest." 

41.  The   Savior   sent  out  the  disciples  to  preach   the  Gospel   to  all 

men,  as  we  see  from  Mark,  16,  15.16.  "Go  ye  into  all  the 
world,  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature.  He  that 
believeth  and  is  baptized  shall  be  saved;  but  he  that  believeth 
not  shall  be  damned." 

42.  God  offers  free  salvation  to  all  men  as  we  see  from  Acts  17,  30. 

"The  times  of  this  ignorance  God  winked  at;  but  now  com- 
mandeth  all   men  everywhere  to  repent." 

43.  God  at  various  times  offered  salvation  to  the  whole  human  race. 

When  God  called  Adam  after  the  fall  He  called  the  whole 
race,  for  the  whole  race  was  in  Adam.  Read  Gen.  3,  9. 
"The  Lord  God  called  unto  Adam,  and  said  unto  him: 
Where  art  thou?" 

44.  When  God  made  a  covenant  with  Noah  after  the  flood  He  again 

spoke  to  the  whole  human  race  which  was  represented  in 
Noah.  Read  Gen.  9,  8.9.  "God  spake  unto  Noah,  and  to  his 
sons  with  him,  saying,  And  I,  behold,  I  establish  my  covenant 
with  you,  and  with  your  seed  after  you." 

45.  In   the   parable   of  the   marriage  of   the   king's   son.   Mat.   22,  2-9, 

whom  were  the  servants  sent  out  to  invite?  They  were  sent 
out  to  invite  all. 

46.  And  this  call  is  honestly  and  earnestly  meant,  as  we  see  from 

the  tears  which  Jesus  wept  over  impenitent  Jerusalem,  Luke 
19,41.  "When  He  was  come  near,  He  beheld  the  city,  and 
wept  over  it,  saying,  if  thou  hadst  known,  even  thou,  at 
least  in  this  thy  day,  the  things  which  belong  unto  thy 
peace,  but  now  they  are  hid  from  thine  eyes." 

47.  (246)     "Why  is  it  that  nevertheless  not  all  men  are  elected  and 

finally  saved?"  "Because  many  wantonly  resist  the  Holy 
Ghost,  who,  through  the  means  of  grace,  wills  to  work  and 
preserve  faith  in  all." 

48.  The  Holy  Ghost  is  willing  to  work  and  preserve  faith  in  all  men 

through  the  Word  and  sacraments,  but  why  is  this  not  done 
in  all  men?     Because  many  wantonly  resist  the   Holy  Ghost. 


LESSON  76.  263 

49.  That  is,  they  knowingly,  stubbornly  and  persistently  oppose  the 

Holy  Ghost.  This  was  the  case  with  the  wicked  city  of 
.Jerusalem,  Mat.  2'.],  '.17.  "O  Jerusalem,  Jerusalem,  thou  that 
killest  the  prophets,  and  stonest  them  which  are  sent  unto 
thee,  how  often  would  I  have  gathered  thy  children  together, 
even  as  a  hen  gathereth  her  chickens  under  her  wings,  and 
ye  would   not." 

50.  The  Jews,  as  a  nation,  rejected  the  Gospel,  and  would  not  accept 

Christ  as  their  Savior,  therefore  the  Gospel  was  taken  from 
them  and  preached  to  the  Gentiles.  Acts  13, 46.  "Then 
Paul  and  Barnabas  waxed  bold,  and  said,  it  was  necessary 
that  the  word  of  God  should  first  have  been  spoken  to  you: 
but  seeing  ye  put  it  from  you,  and  judge  yourselves  unworthy 
of  everlasting  life,  lo  we  turn  to  the  Gentiles." 

51.  They  were  a  stiffnecked  people,  as  we  read  Acts  7,  51.     "Ye  stiff- 

necked  and  uncircumcised  in  heart  and  ears,  ye  do  always 
resist  the   Holy  Ghost  as  your  fathers  did,  so  do  ye." 

52.  In  the  parable  of  the  great  supper,  Luke  14,  16-24,  we  see  that  all 

were  invited,  but  how  did  most  of  those  invited  treat  the 
invitation?     They  made  light  of  it,  they  rejected  it. 

53.  When  a  man  is  lost,  whose  fault  is  it?     It  is  his  own  fault. 

54.  So  we  see  from  Hos.   13,   9.     "O   Israel,  thou   hast  destroyed  thy- 

self;  but  in  me  is  help." 

55.  It  is   never   God's   fault   when    men   are   lost,   as   we   see   from    1 

Thess.  5, 9.  "God  hath  not  appointed  us  to  wrath,  but  to 
obtain  salvation  by  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

56.  They  who   through    unbelief   reject   the   salvation   which   God    so 

freely  offers  must  suffer  the  consequences  of  their  own  folly, 
as  we  see  from  John  3,36.  "He  that  believeth  on  the  Son 
hath  everlasting  life:  and  he  that  believeth  not  the  Son  shall 
not  see  life;    but  the  wrath  of  God  abideth  on  him." 


LESSON  76.     HELL. 

(Questions  247-248.) 


1.  What  is  the  last  thing  which  we  confess  under  the  third  article? 

"I  believe  in  the  life  everlasting." 

2.  What  is  the  opposite  of  everlasting  life?     Everlasting  death. 

3.  Where  shall  we  enjoy  everlasting  life?     In   Heaven. 

4.  And  where  will  there  be  everlasting  death?     In  hell. 

5.  What  kind  of  a  place  is  Heaven?     A  good  place. 

C.     Yes,  a  place  of  purity,  and  happiness.     And  what  kind  of  a  place 
is  hell?    A  bad  place. 


264  LESSON  yd. 

7.  Yes,  it  is  the  opposite  of  heaven.     If  heaven  is  a  place  of  purity 

and  holiness,  what  kind  of  a  place  is  hell?  A  place  of  wick- 
edness. 

8.  And  if  heacen  is  a  place  of  happiness,  what  kind  of  a  place  is  hell? 

A  place  of  misery. 

9.  In  Luke  16,  23.  24,  we  have  an  account  of  the  death  of  the  rich 

man  ^nd  poor  Lazarus.  This  gives  us  some  idea  of  hell.  Re- 
peat the  passage.  "In  hell  he  lifted  up  his  eyes,  being  in 
torments,  and  seeth  Abraham  afar  off,  and  Lazarus  in  his 
bosom.  And  he  cried  and  said,  Father  Abraham,  have  mercy 
on  me,  and  send  Lazarus,  that  he  may  dio  the  tip  of  his 
finger  in  water,  and  cool  my  tongue;  for  I  am  tormented  in 
this  flame." 

10.  What  does  the  rich  man  here  say  of  his  own  condition?     He  says: 

I  am  tormented. 

11.  And  what  does  the  very  first  sentence  of  the  passage  say  of  the 

rich  man?    It  says  that  he  was  in  torments. 

12.  What  does  our  answer  to  question  247  accordingly  say  of  the  con- 

dition of  those  who  are  in  hell?  They  shall  in  body  and  soul 
have  to  suffer  pain  eternally. 

13.  The  souls  of  the  wicked  shall  suffer  at  once  after  death,  and  their 

bodies  shall  join  in  the  suffering  after  the  resurrection.  Read 
the  25th  verse  of  the  16th  chapter  of  Luke.  "Abraham  said, 
son,  remember  that  thou  in  thy  lifetime  receivedst  thy  good 
things,  and  likewise  Lazarus  evil  things;  but  now  he  is  com- 
forted, and  thou  art  tormented." 

14.  In  this  world  the  rich  man  sought  only  after  the  foolish  and  sinful 

pleasures  of  the  flesh,  but  what  was  his  condition  in  the  world 
to  come?     He  was  tormented. 

15.  The  wicked  shall  suffer  the  pangs  of  an  accusing  conscience  in 

their  souls  and  the  tortures  of  an  abused  body  which  they 
have  ruined  by  a  godless  life.  What  did  the  rich  man  es- 
pecially complain  of  according  to  verse  24?  He  suffered 
thirst. 

16.  The  pangs  of  thirst  are  much  greater  even  than  those  of  hunger. 

Let  us  remember  that  both  body  and  soul  shall  suffer  in  hell. 
Read  Mat.  10,  28.  "Fear  not  them  which  kill  the  body,  but  are 
not  able  to  kill  the  soul;  but  rather  fear  him  which  is  able  to 
destroy  both  soul  and  body  in  hell." 

17.  What  does  the  Savior  here  say  God,  whom  we  should  fear,  is  able 

to  do?     He  is  able  to  destroy  both  body  and  soul  in  hell. 

18.  Now  read  Mat.  22,  13.     "Then  said  the  king  to  the  servants,  bind 

him  hand  and  foot,  and  take  him  away,  and  cast  him  into 
outer  darkness;  there  shall  be  weeping  and  gnashing  of 
teeth." 

19.  What  shall  be  done  with  the  unprofitable  servant,  that  is,  with  the 

man  who  has  rejected  the  wedding  garment  of  the  righteous- 
ness of  Christ?  He  shall  be  bound  and  cast  into  outer  dark- 
ness. 


LESSON  76.  265 

20.  After  the  order  is  given  to  bind  the  wicked  servant  what  is  said? 

"Take  him  away." 

21.  That  is,  talve  him  away  from  my  company  and  from  the  company 

of  the  just  and  holy.  To  be  cast  out  from  the  presence  of 
God  is  in  itself  a  terrible  thing,  for  God  is  the  source  of  all 
life  and  happiness.  The  wicked  servant  is  to  be  cast  into 
outer  darkness,  that  is,  into  a  place  without  joy  or  hope,  and 
how  is  the  misery  of  those  in  this  place  described  in  the  last 
part  of  this  verse  13?  "There  shall  be  weeping  and  gnashing 
of  teeth." 

22.  Read  also  Heb.  10,  26.  27.     "If  we  sin  wilfully  after  that  we  have 

received  the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  there  remaineth  no  more 
sacrifice  for  sins,  but  a  certain  looking  for  of  judgment  and 
fiery  indignation,  which  shall  devour  the  adversaries." 

23.  Read   also   what   is   written  of  the   wicked   Rev.    14,   9-11.     "The 

third  angel  followed  them,  saying  with  a  loud  voice,  if  any 
man  worship  the  beast,  and  his  image,  and  receive  his  mark 
in  his  forehead,  or  in  his  hand,  the  same  shall  drink  of  the 
wine  of  the  wrath  of  God,  which  is  poured  out  without  mix- 
ture into  the  cup  of  his  indignation;  and  he  shall  be  tor- 
mented with  fire  and  brimstone  in  the  presence  of  the  holy 
angels,  and  in  the  presence  of  the  Lamb." 

24.  A  man's  happiness  or  misery  depends  a  great  deal  upon  the  com- 

pany that  he  is  in.  In  whose  company  shall  the  righteous  be 
in  heaven?     In  the  company  of  the  Savior  and  the  saints. 

25.  But  in  whose  company  shall  the  wicked  be  in  hell?     In  the  com- 

pany of  the  devil  and  the  wicked. 

26.  Read    Mat.    25,    41.      "Then    shall    he   say    unto    them    on    the    left 

hand,  depart  from  me,  ye  cursed,  into  everlasting  fire,  pre- 
pared for  the  devil  and  his  angels." 

27.  This  shows  what  company  the  wicked   shall  have  in  hell.     And 

what  kind  of  life  must  a  man  lead  in  the  company  of  the 
devil  and  his  angles?     He  must  lead  a  miserable   life. 

28.  There    will    be    degrees    of    punishment    in    hell.      Repeat    Luke 

12,  47.  48.  "That  servant  which  knew  his  Lord's  will,  and 
prepared  not  himself,  neither  did  according  to  his  will,  shall 
be  beaten  with  many  stripes.  But  he  that  knew  not,  and 
did  commit  things  worthy  of  stripes,  shall  be  beaten  with 
few  stripes.  For  unto  whomsoever  much  is  given,  of  him 
shall  much  be  required;  and  to  whom  men  have  committed 
much,  of  him  they  will  seek  the  more." 

29.  What  difference  is  there  in  the  two  servants  here  spoken  of  as 

to  their  knowledge?  The  one  knew  his  Master's  will  and 
the  other  did  not. 

30.  Which  had  the  greater  guilt  in  doing  against  the  Master's  will? 

The  one  who  did  it  though  he  knew  better. 

31.  Accordingly,   which   was   to  suffer  most?     The    one   who   sinned 

against  better  knowledge. 


266  LESSON   76. 

32.  As  there  are  degrees  of  sin  so  there  will  be  degrees  of  punish- 

ment. Read  Matt.  20,  11,  20-24.  "Then  began  He  to  upbraid 
the  cities  wherein  most  of  His  mighty  works  were  done,  be- 
cause they  repented  not:  Woe  unto  thee  Chorazin!  Woe 
unto  thee,  Bethsaida!  for  if  the  mighty  works,  which  were 
done  in  you,  had  been  done  in  Tyre  and  SIdon,  they  would 
have  repented  long  ago  in  sackcloth  and  ashes.  But  I  say 
unto  you,  it  shall  be  more  tolerable  for  Tyre  and  Sidon  at 
the  day  of  judgment,  than  for  you.  And  thou  Capernaum, 
which,  art  exalted  unto  heaven,  shalt  be  brought  down  to 
hell:  for  if  the  mighty  works,  which  have  been  done  in  thee, 
had  been  done  in  Sidon,  it  would  have  remained  until  this 
day.  But  I  say  unto  you  that  it  shall  be  more  tolerable  for 
the  land  of  Sodom  in  the  day  of  judgment,  than  for  thee." 

33.  What  does  the  Savior  say  of  the  scribes  and  Pharisees,  Matt.  23, 

14?  "Woe  unto  you,  scribes  and  Pharisees,  hypocrites!  for 
ye  devour  widows'  houses,  and  for  a  pretence  make  long 
prayers:    therefore  ye  shall   receive  the  greater  damnation." 

34.  But  no  matter  what  the  degree,  what  does  our  question  247  say 

about  the  duration  of  this  punishment  in  hell?  It  shall  be 
eternal. 

35.  This  we  see  from  Isa.  66,  24.     Repeat  the  passage.     "Their  worm 

shall  not  die,  neither  shall  their  fire  be  quenched;  and  they 
shall   be  an  abhorring  to  all  flesh." 

36.  What  is  here  said  of  their  worm,  that  is,  of  the  accusations  of  the 

consciences  of  the  wicked?     It  shall  not  die. 

37.  And  what  of  the  fire,  that  is,  the  bodily  suffering?     It  shall  not 

be   quenched. 

38.  When  the  rich  man  in  hell  asked  for  relief  from  his   suffering, 

what  answer  was  given  him?  Luke  16,  26.  "Beside  all 
this,  between  us  and  you  there  is  a  great  gulf  fixed:  so  that 
they  which  would  pass  from  hence  to  you  cannot;  neither 
can  they  pass  to  us,  that  would  come  from  thence." 

39.  Read  Mark  9,   43-48.     "If  thy   hand   offend  thee,   cut   it  off:    it  is 

better  for  thee  to  enter  Into  life  maimed,  than  having  two 
hands  -to  go  into  hell,  into  the  fire  that  never  shall  be 
quenched:  where  their  worm  dieth  not,  and  the  fire  is  not 
quenched.  And  if  thy  foot  offend  thee,  cut  it  off:  it  is  better 
for  thee  to  enter  halt  into  life,  than  having  two  feet  to  be 
cast  into  hell,  into  the  fire  that  never  shall  be  quenched: 
Where  their  worm  dieth  not  and  the  fire  is  not  quenched. 
And  if  thine  eye  offend  thee,  pluck  it  out:  it  is  better  for  thee 
to  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God  with  one  eye,  than  having 
two  eyes  to  be  cast  into  hell  fire:  where  their  worm  dieth 
not,  and  the  fire  is  not  quenched." 

40.  Also  Matt.  25,  46.     "These  shall  go  away  into  everlasting  punish- 

ment:  but  the  righteous  into  life  eternal." 

41.  What  is  here  said  of  the  duration  of  the  condition  of  both  the 

righteous  and  the  wicked?     it  shall  be  eternal. 

42.  Read  also  Dan  12,  2.     "Many  of  them  that  sleep  in  the  dust  of  the 

earth  shall  awake,  some  to  everlasting  life,  and  softie  to 
shame   and   everlasting   contempt." 


Lksson  76.  267 

43.  Repeat  Proveiijs  11,  7.     "When  a  wicked  man  dieth,  his  expecta- 

tion shall  perish:   and  the  hope  of  unjust  men  perisheth." 

44.  Also  Rev.  14,  11.     "The  smoke  of  their  torment  ascendeth  up  for- 

ever and  ever:  and  they  have  no  rest  day  or  night,  who  wor- 
ship the  beast  and  his  image,  and  whosoever  receiveth  the 
mark  of  his  name." 

45.  What  is  said  of  the  wicked  in  2  Thes.  1,  !)?     "Who  shall  be  pun- 

ished with  everlasting  destruction  from  the  presence  of  the 
Lord,  and  from  the  glory  of  His  power," 

46.  Now  look  at  question  (not  answer)  247  and  tell  me:   upon  whom 

shall  this  punishment  be  visited?  Upon  the  unbelieving  and 
damned. 

47.  Who  shall  be  damned  according  to  Mark  16,  16?     "He  that  be- 

lieveth  not  shall  be  damned." 

48.  And  according  to  2  Thes.  1,  8,  upon  whom  shall  the  I^rd  Jesus 

take  vengeance?  "In  flaming  fire  taking  vengeance  on  them 
that  know  not  God,  and  that  obey  not  the  Gospel  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

49.  God  offers  full  and  free  salvation  to  all.    Whom  will  the  damned 

have  to  blame  for  their  everlasting  misery?  They  will  have 
themselves  to   blame. 

50.  (248)     "What    do    you    hold    as    to    so-called    purgatory?      "It    is 

nothing  but  a  human  invention;  for  Holy  Scripture  speaks  of 
but  two  places,  to  which  men  will  go  after  death." 

51.  Who    holds    and    teaches    this    doctrine?      The    Roman    Catholic 

church. 

52.  Yes,  this  they  imagine   to   be  a  place  between  heaven  and  hell, 

where  those  go,  who  are  not  quite  fit  for  heaven,  and  yet 
too  good  for  hell,  to  suffer  for  a  long  time  the  temporal  con- 
sequences of  sin,  and  from  which  their  friends  can  relieve 
them  by  having  masses  read  for  their  souls.  This  reading 
of  masses  must  be  paid  for.  What  does  our  answer  say  of 
their  doctrine?     It  is  nothing  but  a  human  invention. 

53.  Yes,  the  Roman  Catholic  church  has  invented  this  doctrine,  and 

it  has  proven  a  very  money-making  invention.  But  it  is  false 
and  contrary  to  the  Word  of  God;  for  of  how  many  places  do 
the  Scriptures  speak  to  which  men  may  go  after  death? 
They  speak  of  only  two  places. 

54.  Repeat  Matt.  7,  13.14.     "Enter  ye  in  at  the  strait  gate:   for  wide 

is  the  gate,  and  broad  is  the  way,  that  leadeth  to  destruction, 
and  many  there  be  which  go  in  thereat:  because  strait  is  the 
gate  and  narrow  is  the  way,  which  leadeth  unto  life,  and  few 
there  be  that  find  it." 

55.  How  many  gates  and  ways  are  here  mentioned?     There  are  but 

two  gates  and  two  ways. 

56.  Where  does  the  wide  gate  and  the  broad  way  lead  to?     It  leads 

to  destruction. 

57.  And  where  does  the  narrow  way  through  the  straight,  that  is, 

small  gate,  lead  to?     It  leads  to  life. 


268  LESSON    ']']. 

58.  And  between  these  two  there  is  no  other.     After  death  there  is 

no  opportunity  for  a  man  to  repent  and  change  his  condition, 
as  we  see  from  Heb.  9,  27.  "It  is  appointed  unto  men  once 
to  die  and  after  tliis  the  judgment." 

59.  Read  also  Heb.  :],  12.  13.     "Take  heed,  brethren,  lest  there  be  in 

any  of  you  an  evil  heart  of  unbelief,  in  departing  from  the 
living  God.  But  exhort  one  another  daily,  while  it  is  called 
today;  lest  any  of  you  be  hardened  through  the  deceitful- 
ness  of  sin." 

60.  Repeat  also  Eccles.  11,  3,  second  half.     "If  the  tree  fall  toward 

the  south,  or  toward  the  north,  in  the  place  where  the  tree 
falleth,  there  shall  it  be." 

61.  Read  also  Prov.  11,  7.     "When  a  wicked  man  dieth,  his  expecta- 

tion shall  perish;   and  the  hope  of  an  unjust  man  perisheth." 

62.  The   malefactor   on   the   cross   was   not   first   sent   to   purgatory, 

although  he  had  been  a  great  sinner,  but  what  did  Jesus  say 
to  him?  Luke  23,  43.  "Today  shalt  thou  be  with  me  in 
paradise." 


LESSON  77.     PRAYER. 

(Questions  249-260.) 

1.  Of  what  does  the  second  chief  part  of  the  Catechism,  which  we 

finished  in  our  last  lesson,  treat?  It  treats  of  the  three 
articles  of  the  Christian  creed. 

2.  (249)     "What  is  the  third  chief  part  of  the   Catechism?"     "The 

Lord's   Prayer." 

3.  In  the  first  chief  part  we  learn  of  our  sins  and  their  dreadful 

consequences.  In  the  second  we  learn  how,  by  faith  in 
Christ,  we  become  God's  dear  children.  Now  the  third  tells 
us  how  as  God's  dear  children  we  should  talk  to  our  Father. 
A  dear  child  must  certainly  be  on  speaking  terms  with  its 
father.  What  do  we  call  such  talking  of  God's  children  to 
their  heavenly  Father?     We  call  it  prayer. 

4.  What  prayer  are  we  especially  to  consider  under  this  third  chief 

part  of  the  Catechism?     The  Lord's  Prayer. 

5.  (250)     "What  is  the  Lord's  Prayer?"  ."It  is  a  brief  form  of  prayer 

which  contains  all  we  need  for  body  and  soul." 

6.  What  does  this  prayer  contain?     It  contains  all  that  we  need  for 

body  and  soul. 

7.  And  what  is  this  Lord's  Prayer?     It  is  a  brief  form  of  prayer. 

8.  (251)     "Why  is   it  called   the   Lord's   Prayer?"    "Because   Christ 

himself  taught  it  to  us."     (Matt.  6,  9-13.     Luke  11,  2-4.) 

9.  Read  Luke  11,  1.     "It  came  to  pass,  that,  as  He  was  praying  in 

a  certain  place,  when  He  ceased,  one  of  His  disciples  said 
unto  Him,  Lord,  teach  us  to  pray,  as  John  also  taught  his 
disciples." 


LESSON  TJ.  269 

10.  In  answer  to  this  re(iuest  Jesus  taught  his  disciples  this  prayer 

as  we  find  it  recorded  in  verses  2  to  4  of  this  chapter,  and 
also  in  a  somewhat  longer  form  in  Matt.  6,  9-13.  This  prayer 
was  to  be  a  m  odel  or  pattern.  What  purpose  does  a  model 
or  pattern  sei  ve?  It  shows  how  a  thing  is  to  be  made 
or  done. 

11.  Because  Christ  hira  lelf  gave  us  this  model,  or  pattern,  what  kind 

of  model  may   t\'e  expect  it  to  be?     A  perfect  model. 

12.  This  the  Lord's  prayer  certainly  is;    it  is  the  model  prayer.     But 

now,  before  we  consider  the  separate  parts  of  this  model 
prayer,  our  Catechism  answers  a  few  general  questions  con- 
cerning prayer.  Which  is  the  first  of  these?  What  Is 
prayer? 

13.  (252)     "What  is  prayer?  "     "It  is  that  divine  service  in  which  we 

call  upon  the  name  of  God  in  every  trouble,  pray,  praise 
and  give  thanks." 

14.  What  kind  of  service  is  prayer?     Prayer   is  a  divine  service. 

15.  Upon    whom    do    we    call    in    prayer?      We    call    upon    the    name 

of  God. 

16.  Under   which   commandment   did   we   consider   this   calling  upon 

the  name  of  God?     Under  the  second  commandment. 

17.  Repeat  the  second  commandment  and  its  meaning.     Thou   shalt 

not  take  the  name  of  the  Lord  thy  God  in  vain.  We  should 
fear  and  love  God  that  we  may  not  curse,  swear,  use  witch- 
craft, lie  or  deceive  by  His  name,  but  call  upon  Him  in  every 
trouble,  pray,  praise  and  give  thanks. 

18.  It  is  God's  express  will  that  we  call  upon  Him  when  we  are  in 

trouble.  What  three  forms  of  calling  upon  God  are  here 
mentioned?     We  should  pray,  praise  and  give  thanks. 

19.  To  pray  means  to  ask  God  for   something;     to  praise,   to  speak 

well  of  Him;  and  to  give  thanks,  to  acknowledge  His  bless- 
ings. But  by  what  word  do  we  generally  express  all  three 
of  these  ideas?     By  the  word   prayer. 

20.  (253)     "What  should  move  us  to  prayer?"     "Not  only  our  need, 

but  also  the  command  and  promise  of  God." 

21.  What  is  the  first  thing  that  should  move  us  to  pray?     Our  need. 

22.  When  we  are  in  need  or  trouble,  what  does  God  want  us  to  do 

according  to  Ps.  50,  15?  "Call  upon  me  in  the  day  of 
trouble  and  I  will  deliver  thee  and  thou  shalt  glorify  me." 

23.  And  very  frequently  the  reason  why  we  are  not  delivered  from 

our  troubles  is  because  we  do  not  ask  help  of  God,  as  we 
see  from  James  4,   2.     "Ye   have   not,   because  ye  ask   not." 

24.  But  what  else  should  move  us  to  prayer  besides  our  own  need? 

The  command  and  promise  of  God. 

25.  We   have   just   seen   that  God    has    commanded   us    to   call    upon 

Him  when  we  are  in  trouble.  We  are  told  the  same  thing 
in  Ps.  27,  8.  "When  thou  saidst,  seek  ye  my  face;  my  heart 
said   unto  thee,  thy  face,   Lord,  will   I  seek." 

26.  Now    when    God    commands    a    thing    what    should    we    do?      We 

should  obey. 


270  LESSON  ^•J. 

27.  Why   then   should   we   consider  prayer  a  sacred   duty?     Because 

God  has  commanded   it. 

28.  But,    according    to    question    253,    what   else   should   move    us    to 

prayer,  besides  God's  command?     His  promise. 

29.  What    has    God    promised    with    reference    to    prayer?      He    has 

promised  to  hear  it. 

30.  One  such  jpromise  we  have  already  heard  from  Ps.  50,  15.     Will 

you  repeat  it  again.  "Call  upon  me  in  the  day  of  trouble 
and   I  will  deliver  thee." 

31.  When    we   hear   that   God    promises    to   deliver   us,   what   should 

that  move  us  to  do?     It  should  move  us  to  ask  His  help. 

32.  (254)     "To    whom    should    we    pray?"      "Only    to    the    true    God, 

Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost." 

33.  Read   the  second  half  of  Matt.   4,  10.     "Thou   shalt  worship  the 

Lord  thy  God   and   him  only  shalt  thou   serve." 

34.  Who  is  the  only  true  God  upon  whom  we  should  call  in  prayer? 

God  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost.  He  alone  can  and 
will  hear  prayer,  as  we  see  from  Ps.  65,  2.  "O  thou  that 
hearest  prayer,  unto  thee  shall  ail  flesh  come." 

35.  Everything   that   we   need    must   come   from    Him,   as   we   learn 

from  James  1,  17.  "Every  good  gift  and  every  perfect  gift 
is  from  above,  and  cometh  down  from  the  Father  of  lights, 
with   whom    is    no   variableness,   neither   shadow   of  turning." 

36.  God  alone  knows  our  hearts,  he  sees  and  knows  what  we  really 

need,  as  we  see  from  Jer.  17,  9.  10.  "The  heart  is  deceitful 
above  ail  things,  and  desperately  wicked:  who  can  know  it? 
I,  the  Lord  search  the  heart,  I  try  the  reins,  even  to  every 
man  according  to  his  ways,  and  according  to  the  fruit  of  his 
doings." 

37.  Let  us  now  see  some  examples  of  pious  men  who  prayed,  that  is, 

spoke  with  God.  For  instance,  Abraham,  Gen.  18,  27.  "Abra- 
ham answered  and  said.  Behold  now,  I  have  taken  upon  me 
to  speak  unto  the   Lord,  which  am    but  dust  and  ashes." 

38.  Moses  bescfiight  the  Lord,  Ex.  32,  11.     "Moses  besought  the  Lord 

his  God,  and  said.  Lord  why  doth  thy  wrath  wax  hot  against 
thy  people,  which  thou  hast  brought  forth  out  of  the  land 
of  Egypt,  with  great  power,  and  with  a  mighty  hand?" 

39.  Manoah  entreated  God,  Judges   13,  8,     "Then    Manoah  entreated 

the  Lord,  and  said,  O  my  Lord,  let  the  man  of  God  which 
thou  didst  send  come  again  unto  us,  and  teach  us  what  we 
shall   do  unto  the  child  that  shall   be  born." 

40.  David  spake   unto   the  Lord,   2   Sam.   22,   1.     "David   spake    unto 

the  Lord  the  words  of  this  song  in  the  day  that  the  Lord 
delivered  him  out  of  the  hand  of  all  his  enemies,  and  out 
of  the  hand  of  Saul." 

41.  The  whole  Book  of  Psalms  is  a  prayer  book,  showing  how  God's 

children  in  the  Old  Testament  called  upon  their  Father.  We 
should  call  only  upon  the  true  God,  and  not  upon  the  saints 
as  the  Roman  Catholics  do,  for  the  saints  can  not  hear  nor 
answer  us.  This  we  see  from  Isa.  63,  16.  "Doubtless  thou 
art  our  Father,  though  Abraham  be  ignorant  of  us,  and 
Israel  acknowledge  us  not:  thou,  O  Lord,  art  our  Father, 
our   redeemer;     thy   name   is  from  everlasting." 


LESSON  yy.  'i,l\ 

42.  Not  even  to  the  angels  should  we  pray,  as  we  see  I'rom  Rev.  19,  10. 

"I  fell  at  his  feet  to  worship  him.  And  he  said  unto  me, 
see  thou  do  it  not:  I  am  thy  fellowservant,  and  of  thy 
brethren  that  have  the  testimony  of  Jesus:  worship  God: 
for  the   testimony   of  Jesus    is  the  spirit   of   prophecy." 

43.  Neither  should   we   address   our  petitions   to   an   indefinite  great 

spirit,  or  higher  being,  as  is  done  in  the  secret  societies 
of  our  day.  To  whom  alone  should  we  pray?  To  the  true 
God,  Father,  Son  and   Holy  Ghost. 

44.  (255)     "What  things  should   we  ask  of  God?"     "Everything  that 

tends  to  the  glory  of  God  and  our  salvation,  be  it  spiritual 
or  temporal  blessings." 

45.  Repeat   Phil.    4.    fi.      "Be    careful   for   nothing;     but    in    everything 

by  prayer  and  supplication  with  thanksgiving  let  your  re- 
quests  be  made   known   unto   God." 

46.  How   many  kinds   of  things   may  we   ask  for  in   prayer?     Two, 

spiritual  and  temporal. 

47.  But   whatever   we    ask,    should    serve    what   purpose?      It    should 

tend  to  the  glory  of  God  and  our  salvation. 

48.  (256)     "Should   we  pray  for  these  things   without  distinction    at 

all?'"  "No:  ail  that  is  really  necessary  unto  salvation  we 
should  ask  for  unconditionally;  but  all  else  under  the  con- 
dition:   if  it  please  God." 

49.  So,  for  instance,  we  need  the  Holy  Ghost  in  order  that  we  may 

believe  and  be  saved.  Luke  11.  i:;,  the  Savior  teaches  us 
to  ask  for  this  gift  without  any  condition.  "If  ye  ther., 
being  evil,  know  how  to  give  good  gifts  unto  your  children, 
how  much  more  shall  your  heavenly  Father  give  the  Holy 
Spirit  to  them   that  ask  him?" 

50.  But  under  what  condition  should  we  ask  for  all  else?     Under  the 

condition:    if  it  please  God. 

51.  So  the  poor  leper,  Matt.  8,   2.  asked  the  Savior.     "Lord,   if  thou 

wilt,  thou  canst  make  me  clean." 

52.  So    the    Savior    himself    prayed    in    the    garden    of    Gethsemane, 

Luke  22,  42.  "Father,  if  thou  be  willing,  remove  this  cup 
from  me:    nevertheless,  not  my  will,  but  thine  be  done." 

53.  In   Matt.    20,   20-22,   we   have   an   example   of  a   prayer  that   was 

denied  because  it  was  not  in  accordance  with  God's  will. 
The  mother  of  Zebedee's  children  wanted  her  sons  to  occupy 
special  places  of  honor  in  the  kingdom  of  the  Savior.  Read 
1  John,  5,  14.  "This  is  the  confidence  that  we  have  in  Him, 
that,  if  we  ask  anything  according  to  his  will,  he  heareth  us." 

54.  (257)     "For  whom  should  we  pray?"     "Not  only  for  ourselves,  but 

also   for  all   our  fellow-men   on   earth." 

55.  It  is  but  natural  that  each  should  pray  for  himself,  but  for  whom 

else   should  we   pray?     For  all   our  fellow-men   on   earth. 

56.  Yes,  we  should  also  pray  for  others,  but  only  for  those  who  are 

on  earth.  It  would  avail  nothing  to  pray  for  those  who  are 
in  hell,  and  those  who  are  in  heaven  have  no  need  of  our 
prayers.  Now  let  us  see  some  examples  of  how  we  should 
pray  for  our  fellow-men.  Matt.  5,  44,  tells  us  to  pray  for 
our  enemies.  "But  I  say  unto  you,  love  your  enemies,  bless 
them  that  curse  you,  do  good  to  them  that  hate  you,  and 
pray  for  them  which  despitefully  use  you.  an«i  «ersecute  you." 


272  LESSON   "^J. 

57.  Read    Luke    23,    34,    and    see    how    the    Savior   himself    did    this. 

"Then  said  Jesus,  Father,  forgive  them;  for  they  know  not 
what  they  do." 

58.  From   Acts  7,   59  and   60,  we  see  how   St.   Stephen   followed  the 

example  of  the  Savior.  "They  stoned  Stephen,  calling  upon 
God,  and  saying,  Lord  Jesus,  receive  my  spirit.  And  he 
kneeled  down,  and  cried  with  a  loud  voice,  Lord,  lay  not 
this  sin  to  their  charge." 

59.  Read  Eph.  6,  18,  and  see  how  we  should  pray  for  our  brethren. 

"Praying  always  with  all  prayer  and  supplication  in  the 
spirit,  and  watching  thereunto  with  all  perseverance  and 
supplication   for  all   saints." 

60.  From  Ex.  32,  31-32,  we  see  how  Moses  prayed  for  Israel.     "Moses 

returned  unto  the  Lord,  and  said,  Oh,  this  people  have  sinned 
a  great  sin,  and  have  made  them  gods  of  gold.  Yet  now,  if 
thou  wilt  forgive  their  sin — ;  and  if  not,  blot  me,  I  pray 
thee,  out  of  thy  book  which  thou  hast  written." 

61.  Read  the  latter  part  of  Isa.   53.  12,  and  see  how  the  Messiah  is 

said  to  pray  for  the  wicked.  "He  bare  the  sins  of  many,  and 
made  intercession  for  the  transgressors." 

62.  From  James  5,  14,  we  see  that  we  are  to  pray  for  the  sick.     "Is 

any  sick  among  you?  Let  him  call  for  the  elders  of  the 
church;  and  let  them  pray  over  him,  anointing  him  with 
oil  in  the  name  of  the  Lord." 

63.  Parents   should   pray    for   their   children   as    we    see   from    Matt. 

19,  13.  "Then  were  there  brought  unto  him  little  children, 
that  he  should  put  his  hands  on  them  and  pray:  and  the 
disciples  rebuked  them." 

64.  We    should    pray    for    the    church,    that    God    may    give    faithful 

ministers.  Read  Matt.  9,  37.  38.  "Then  said  he  unto  his 
disciples,  the  harvest  truly  is  plenteous,  but  the  laborers 
are  few;  pray  ye  therefore  the  Lord  of  the  harvest,  that 
he  will  send  forth   laborers  into  his  harvest." 

65.  Jer.  29,  7,  tells   us  that  we  should  pray  for  the  public  welfare. 

"Seek  the  peace  of  the  city  whither  I  have  caused  you  to 
be  carried  away  captives,  and  pray  unto  the  Lord  for  it: 
for  in  the  peace  thereof  shall  ye  have  peace." 

66.  (258)      "How  must  we  pray?"     "In  the  name  of  Jesus,  or  in  true 

faith." 

67.  In  the  name  of  Jesus  means  in  obedience  to  his  command  and 

depending  upon  his  merits.  We  ourselves  are  not  worthy  of 
anything  for  which  we  pray,  but  we  are  to  pray  that  God 
give  us  what  we  ask  for  Jesus  sake.  Repeat  John  16,  23. 
"Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  the 
Father  In  my  name,  he  will  give  it  you." 

68.  That  we  should  pray  in  true  faith  we  see  from  Matt.  21,  22.     "All 

things,  whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  in  prayer,  believing,  ye 
shall   receive." 

69.  Now  read  James  1,   5-7,  and  tell  me  how  we  should  pray.     We 

should   pray    in   faith. 

70.  To  pray  in   faith   means   to  depend   on   the   mercy  of  God.     Re- 

peat Dan.  9,  18.  "We  do  not  present  our  supplications  be- 
fore Thee  for  our  righteousness,  but  for  thy  great  mercies." 


LESSON  'J'J.  273 

71.  How  did  the   poor  publican   in   tlie  temple  pray?     Luke   18,   13. 

"And  the  publican,  standing  afar  off,  would  not  lift  up  so 
much  as  his  eyes  unto  heaven,  but  smote  upon  his  breast, 
saying,  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner." 

72.  In  true  faith  also  means  in  the  spirit  of  piety,  in  sincerity  and 

uprightness.  Repeat  Ps.  66,  18.  "If  I  regard  iniquity  in 
my  heart,  the  Lord  will  not  hear  me." 

73.  Read  also  .John  4,  24.     "God   is  a  spirit:    and  they  that  worship 

him  must  worship  him   in  spirit  and   in  truth." 

74.  True   prayer   is    not   the    mere   repetition    of   words,   but   it   is    a 

matter  of  the  heart.  Repeat  Matt.  6,  7.  "When  ye  pray, 
use  not  vain  repetitions,  as  the  heathen  do:  for  they  think 
that  they  shall  be  heard  for  their  much  speaking." 

75.  Read  also  Matt.  15,  8.     "This  people  draweth  nigh  unto  me  with 

their  mouth,  and  honoreth  me  with  their  lips;  but  their 
heart   is  far  from    me." 

76.  (259)     "When  should  we  pray?"     "Without  ceasing,   particularly 

also  at  stated  times." 

77.  The   Christian   should   pray   at   all   times.     His   life   should   be   a 

life  of  prayer.     Read  1  Thes.  5,  17.     "Pray  without  ceasing." 

78.  Also  Eph.  6,  18.     "Praying  always  with   all   prayer  and  supplica- 

tion in  the  Spirit,  and  watching  thereunto  with  all  perse- 
verance and  supplication  for  all   saints." 

79.  In  the  parable  Luke  18.  1-7,  what  is  it  that  the  Savior  impresses 

upon  us,  according  to  verse  1?  That  we  ought  always  to 
pray. 

80.  And  yet  there  are  times  which  particularly  call  for  prayer.     So 

we  learn  from  Isa.  26,  16.  "Lord,  in  trouble  they  have 
visited  thee,  they  poured  out  a  prayer  when  thy  chastening 
was  upon  them." 

81.  It  is  well  to  have  stated,  or  fixed,  times  for  prayer,  lest  it  be 
overlooked  or  crowded  out.  What  are  such  times  of  the 
day?     Morning,  at  meals  and  evening. 

82.  Read  Ps.  92.  1.   2.     "It   is  a  good  thing  to  give  thanks  unto  the 

Lord,  and  to  sing  praises  unto  thy  name,  O  most  High:  To 
shew  forth  thy  loving  kindness  in  the  morning,  and  thy 
faithfulness   every   night." 

83.  Also  Ps.   55,   IG.   17.     "As  for  me,    I   will   call   upon   God;    and   the 

Lord  shall  save  me.  Evening  and  morning,  and  at  noon, 
will   I  pray,  and  cry  aloud:   and  he  shall   hear  my  voice." 

84.  Our  Catechism  gives  us  such  morning  and  evening  prayers,  and 

prayers  before  and  after  meals.  We  should  not  only  learn 
but  faithfully  use  them.  Which  day  of  the  week  should 
be  a  special  day  of  prayer?     The  Lord's  day,  or  Sunday. 

85.  (260)     "Where  should  we  pray?"     "Everywhere,  but  particularly 

also  in  our  closet  and  at  church." 

86.  God  is  everywhere,  and  therefore  we  may  call  upon  Him  at  any 

place.  Repeat  1  Tim.  2,  8.  "I  will  therefore  that  men  pray 
everywhere,  lifting  up  holy  hands,  without  wrath  and 
doubting." 

18 


274  LESSON  78. 

87.  But  prayer  need  not  always  be  in  public.     In  the  secret  of  our 

own  hearts,  when  we  are  alone  with  God,  we  should  pray 
to  Him,  as  we  see  from  Matth.  6,  6.  "But  thou,  when  thou 
prayest,  enter  into  thy  closet,  and  when  thou  hast  shut  thy 
door  pray  to  thy  Father  which  is  in  secret;  and  thy  Father 
which  seeth  in  secret  will  reward  thee  openly." 

88.  But  there  is  one  place  particularly  which  should  be  a  place  of 

prayer.  Read  the  latter  part  of  Isa.  56,  7.  "For  mine  house 
shall  be  called  an  house  of  prayer  for  all  people." 

89.  Repeat  also  Ps.   26,   12.     "In   the  congregations  will    I    bless  the 

Lord." 

90.  Read  also  Ps.  22,  22.     "I  will  declare  thy  name  unto  my  brethren: 

in  the  midst  of  the  congregation  will  I  praise  thee." 

91.  Also  Ps.  27,  6,  latter  half.     "Therefore  will   I   offer  in   his  taber- 

nacle sacrifices  of  joy." 


LESSON    78.      THE    INTRODUCTION    TO    THE    LORD'S    PRAYER. 

(Questions   261-272.) 

1.  Which   is    the   third   chief   part  of  the    Catechism?      The    Lord's 

Prayer. 

2.  (261)     "Repeat    the    Lord's    Prayer."      "Our    Father    who    art    in 

Heaven,  etc." 

3.  (262)     "How     many    parts     does    the    Lord's     Prayer    contain?" 

"Three:  the  introduction,  the  seven  petitions,  and  the  con- 
clusion." 

4.  (263)     "What   is    the    introduction?"      "Our    Father    who    art    in 

heaven." 

5.  (264)     "What    does    this    mean?"      "God    would    by    these    words 

tenderly  invite  us  to  believe  that  He  is  our  true  Father  and 
that  we  are  His  true  children,  so  that  we  may  with  all  bold- 
ness and  confidence  entreat  Him,  as  dear  children  entreat 
their  jdear  father." 

6.  Who  taught  us  the  Lord's  Prayer?     Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

7.  What  does  Jesus  in  this  prayer  teach  us  to  call  God?     He  teaches 

us  to  call  God  father. 

8.  He  might  have   told   us   to   address   God   as   Lord,   .Jehovah,   the 

Almighty,  but  He  preferred  that  we  should  address  God  by 
what  dear  name?     By  the  name  Father. 

9.  This    He   did   to   give   us   confidence   in  God.      How   does   Luther 

express  this  in  tb*^  catechism?  "He  would  tenderly  in- 
vite us." 

10.  (265)     "Why  does  the  Lord's  Prayer  leach  us  to  address  God  as 

Father?"     "God  would  thereby  tenderly  invite  us  to  believe." 

11.  (266)      "Of   what   would   He    invitingly   assure   us?"      "To    believe 

that  He  is  our  true  Father  and  that  we  are  His  true  children." 

12.  He  wants  us  to  believe,  that  is,  to  have  confidence  in  God.     What 

would  He  have  us  to  believe?  That  He  is  our  true  Father 
and  that  we  are  his  true  children. 


LESSON  78.  275 


l:!.  What  kind  of  a  father  should  we  believe  God  to  be?  We  should 
believe  Him  to  be  a  true  father. 

14.  Yes,  He  is  a  father  not  only  in  name  but  in  fact.     He  deserves 

the  name.     Can  you  tell  me  why?     Because  He  made  us, 

15.  Yes,  we  owe  Him  our  life.     As  we  read  in  Psalm  100,  3.     "Know 

ye  that  the  Lord  he  is  God:  it  is  he  that  hath  made  us  and 
not  we  ourselves." 

16.  A  child  owes  not  only  its  life  to  its  father,  but  what  else?     Lov- 

ing care. 

17.  Yes,  and  why  then  may  we  truly  call  God  our  Father?     Because 

He   cares  for  us. 

18.  In  what  part  of  the  Catechism  have  we  already  seen  and  learned 

this?     In  the  first  article  of  the  creed. 

19.  Repeat  Luther's  explanation  of  the  first  article.     "I  believe  that 

God  has  made  me  and  all  creatures;  that  He  has  given  me 
my  body  and  soul,  eyes,  ears  and  all  my  members,  my 
reason  and  ail  my  senses,  and  still  preserves  them;  also 
clothing  and  shoes,  meat  and  drink,  house  and  home,  wife 
and  children,  fields,  cattle  and  all  my  goods;  that  He  richly 
and  daily  provides  me  with  all  that  1  need  to  support  this 
body  and  life;  that  He  defends  me  against  all  danger,  and 
guards  and  protects  me  from  all  evil;  and  all  this  purely 
out  of  fatherly  divine  goodness  and  mercy,  without  any  merit 
or  worthiness  in  me;  for  all  which  it  is  my  duty  to  thank 
and  praise,  to  serve  and  obey  Him.  This  is  most  certainly 
true." 

20.  But  there  is  another  reason  why  Jesus  would  have  us  call  God 

Father.  Jesus  is  our  brother,  and  God  is  his  Father.  Then 
in  what  relation  does  God  stand  to  us?     He  is  our  Father. 

21.  Yes,  and  it  is  only  through   Christ  that  we  can  truly  call  God 

Father.  But  if  He  is  truly  our  father  then  in  what  re- 
lation do  we  stand  to  Him?     We  are  His  children. 

22.  There  are   children   who  do   not  deserve  the  name.     What  was 

the  name  of  that  son  of  king  David  who  was  a  disgrace  to 
his  father?     Absalom. 

2.3.  What  did  the  prodigal  son  confess?  Luke  15,  21.  "The  son 
said  unto  him.  Father,  I  have  sinned  against  heaven  and  in 
thy  sight,  and  am  no  more  worthy  to  be  called  thy  son." 

24.  So  long  as  he  was  living  in  sin  and  shame,  this  was  true.     So 

there  are  children  of  God  who  are  not  worthy  of  the  name. 
But  what  kind  of  children  should  we  be?  We  should  be 
dear  children. 

25.  That  is,  children  who  love  their  heavenly  Father.     Our  proper 

relation  to  our  heavenly  Father  is  expressed  in  the  explana- 
tion of  the  first  commandment.  Repeat  it.  "We  should 
fear,  love  and  trust  in  God  above  all  things." 

26.  What  would   the   Savior   have   us   believe   concerning   God?     He 

would   have  us  believe  that  He  is  our  true  Father. 

27.  (267)     "Why   should   we  believe  this?"     "That  we   may  with   all 

boldness  and  confidence  entreat  Him,  as  dear  children  en- 
treat their  dear  father." 


276  LESSON  78. 

28.  What  are  we  to  do  if  we  believe  that  God  is  our  trire  Father? 

We  are  to  entreat,  to  call  on,  Him. 

29.  Tell  me  a  Scripture  passage  in  which  God  expressly  asks  us  to 

call  on  Him  in  trouble.  Psalm  50,  15.  "Call  upon  me  in 
the  day  of  trouble  and  I  will  deliver  thee,  and  thou  shalt 
glorify   me." 

30.  How  should  we  call  on  God?     We  should  call  on   Him  with  all 

boldness  and  confidence.  Or  as  dear  children  call  on  their 
dear  father. 

31.  When  a  child   needs  something,   to  whom   does   it  go?     It   goes 

to  its  father. 

32.  Repeat  Psalm   103,   13.     "Like  as   a   father   pitieth    his   children, 

so  the  Lord  pitieth  them  that  fear  Him." 

33.  Turn   to  Luke   11,    13,   and   read   what  is   there   written   of  God. 

"If  ye  then,  being  evil,  know  how  to  give  good  gifts  unto 
your  children:  how  much  more  shall  your  heavenly  Father 
give  the   Holy  Spirit  to  them  that  ask   Him?" 

34.  That  all  good  gifts  come  from  our  heavenly  Father  we  learn  also 

from  James  1,  17.  "Every  good  gift  and  every  perfect  gift 
is  from  above,  and  cometh  down  from  the  Father  of  lights, 
with  whom  is  no  variableness,  neither  shadow  of  turning." 

35.  When  we  say  "Our  Father,"  are  we  speaking  in  the  singirlar  or 

plural  number?     We  are  speaking  in  the  plural  number. 

36.  How  would  it  read  in  the  singular  number?     My  Father  who  art 

in    heaven. 

37.  (268)     "Why  do  we  say  Our  Father?"    "Because  all  Christians  are 

brethren  and  should  therefore  also  pray  for  one  another." 

38.  When   we   say   "Our  Father,"   whose  father   do   we   confess    God 

to  be?     The  Father  of  all  Christians. 

39.  Who  are  Christians?     All  who  believe  in  Christ. 

40.  What  do  we  in  answer  268  say  of  all  Christians?     We  say  that 

all    Christians  are   brethren. 

41.  And  -what  should  Christian  brethren  do  for  one  another?     They 

should   pray  for  one  another. 

42.  This  is  plainly  taught  us  when  in  the  Lord's  Prayer  we  are  told 

to  use  the  plural  number.  Repeat  the  fourth  petition.  "Give 
us  this  day  our  daily  bread." 

43.  Repeat  the  fifth  petition.     "Forgive  us  our  trespasses  as  we  for- 

give those  who  trespass  against   us." 

44.  And  so  in  all  the  other  petitions.     What  does  the  Savior  teach 

us  when  He  asks  us  to  use  the  plural  number  throughout 
the  Lord's  Prayer?     That  we  should  pray  for  one  another. 

45.  Read  Matt.  23,  8.     "One  is  your  Master,  even  Christ  and  all  ye 

are  brethren." 

46.  Repeat  James   5,   16.     "Confess  your  faults  one  to  another,  and 

pray  one  for  another,  that  ye   may  be  healed." 

47.  (269)     "Why  do  we  in  the  German   say:    'Vater  Unser'  and  not 

'Unser  Vater'?"  "That  we  may,  in  keeping  with  the  constant 
usage  of  the  ancient  church,  begin  the  prayer  with  the 
precious  word  Father.  (The  construction  of  the  language 
does  not  admit  of  it  in  the  English.") 


LESSON  79.  277 


48.  (27(1)      "Why   do    we    add:      Who   art    in    heaven?"      "To    indicate 

that  this  our  dear  Father  is  the  omniscient  and  omnipotent 
God." 

49.  If  from  any  part   of  the  earth's   surface  we   look  upward,  what 

do  we  see?     We  see  the  heavens. 

50.  As  the  heavens  are  over  us  everywhere,  so  God  is  everywhere 

present.  Why  may  we  call  upon  Him  at  all  places?  Be- 
cause He  is  everywhere  present. 

51.  Read  Jer.  23,  23.  24.     "Am    I  a  God  at  hand,  saith  the   Lord,  and 

not  a  God  afar  off?  Can  any  hide  himself  in  secret  places 
that  I  shall  not  see  him?  saith  the  Lord.  Do  not  I  fill 
heaven   and   earth?  saith  the   Lord." 

52.  But  when   we   say   to  God:      "Who   art   in   heaven,"   we  are   not 

only  reminded  of  the  fact  that  He  is  omniscient  and  omni- 
present, but  of  what  other  attribute  do  we  think  according 
to  answer  270?  We  are  also  reminded  of  the  omnipotence 
of  God. 

53.  As   the  heavens   are   far  above  the  earth,  so   is  God   far  above 

us  in  glory,  majesty  and  power.  Read  Isa.  66,  8,  the  first 
part  of  the  verse.  "Thus  saith  the  Lord,  the  heaven  is  my 
throne,  and  the  earth  is  my  footstool." 

54.  God  is  here  represented  as  sitting  on  a  throne,  what  must  He 

accordingly  be?     He  must  be  a  king. 

55.  What  kind  of  king  He  is  we  see  from  Rev.  19.  16.     "He  hath  on 

his  vesture  and  on  His  thigh  a  name  written,  King  of  Kings, 
and    Lord   of   Lords." 

56.  How  should  we  appear  before   such  a  great  and   glorious  king? 

We   should    appear    before    Him    in    due    reverence. 

57.  But   not  only   in   reverence   and   fear   should    we   appear   before 

Him.  Suppose  a  great  and  powerful  king  would  give  you 
the  privilege  to  ask  of  Him  anything  you  needed,  how  would 
you  feel  about  it?  I  would  feel  good  about  it.  I  would  not 
be  afraid  to  ask. 

58.  So  we  should  come  before  God  in  our  prayers,  not  timidly,  as 

though  we  were  afraid  of  asking  too  much,  but,  according 
to  Luther's  explanation,  how  should  we  ask  God?  With  all 
boldness  and  confidence. 

59.  Repeat  Psalm  115,  3.     "Our  God  is  in  the  heaven:    He  hath  done 

whatsoever   He  hath  pleased." 

60.  (271)     "How   many   petitions    does    the   Lord's    Prayer    contain?" 

"Seven." 

61.  (272)     "What  is  the  order  and  division  of  these  petitions?"     "In 

the  first  four  we  pray  God  to  bestow  good,  in  the  last  three 
to  ward  off  evil." 


LESSON   79.     THE   FIRST   PETITION. 

(Questions   273-280.) 

1.  (273)      "Which  is  the  first  petition?"     "Hallowed  be  Thy  name." 

2.  (274)     "What  does  this  mean?"     "God's  name  is   indeed  holy  in 

itself;     but   we    pray    in    this    petition    that    it    may    be    holy 
among    us   also." 


278  LESSON  79. 

3.  (275)      "How  is  this  done?'     "When  the  Word  of  God  is  taught  in 

its  truth  and  purity,  and  we  as  the  children  of  God  also 
lead  a  godly  life  according  to  it.  This  grant  us,  dear  Father 
in  heaven.  But  he  that  teaches  and  lives  otherwise  than 
Uod's  Word  teaches,  profanes  the  name  of  God  among  us. 
From  this  preserve   us,   heavenly   Father." 

4.  What   does   this   first  petition   treat   of?      It   treats    of   the    name 

of  God. 

5.  Where  in   the  Catechism   have   we   already  treated   of  the  name 

of  God?     Under  the  second   commandment. 

6.  Repeat    the    second    commandment.      Thou    shalt    not    take    the 

name  of  the   Lord  thy  God   in  vain. 

7.  (276)     "What  do  we  understand  by  the  name  of  God?"    See  Ques- 

tion 25.  "All  that  God  has  revealed  of  himself  in  Holy  Scrip- 
ture, such  as  his  essence,  attributes,  will  or  command." 

8.  For  whom  does  the  name  of  a  person  stand?     It  stands  for  the 

person    himself. 

9.  When   we   hear  the  name   of  a   person,   of  whom   do   we  think? 

We  thing  of  the  person. 

10.  Yes,  and   we  think  of  other   things   connected   with  the   person, 

such  as  his  attributes.  For  instance,  when  we  hear  the 
name  of  "Solomon,"  of  what  attribute  do  we  think?  We 
think  of  wisdom. 

11.  When  we  hear  the  name  "Samson,"  of  what  quality  do  we  think? 

We  think   of  strength. 

12.  So   when   we   hear  the   name  of  God,  we   think   not  only  of  his 

person,  but  of  what  else?     We  think  also  of  his  attributes. 

13.  Mention  some  of  the  attributes  of  God.     God  is  eternal,  almighty, 

allwise,  everywhere  present,  holy,  righteous,  merciful  and 
truthful. 

14.  Which  is   the   fifth   attribute  you  have  jirst  mentioned?     God    is 

holy.- 

15.  If  God  himself  is  holy,  then  how  must  his  name  be?     His  name 

must  also  be  holy. 

16.  When  we  in  this  petition  pray:    "Hallowed  be  thy  name."  we  dc 

not  mean  that  God's  name  is  not  holy  until  we  make  it  holy 
For  what  is  the  name  of  God  in  itself?  God's  name  is  holy 
in  itself. 

17.  What  does  "holy"  mean?     Holy  means  pure,  perfect,  without  sin, 

18.  But  if  God's  name  is  holy  in  itself,  what  do  we  ask  for  in  this 

petition?    We  ask  that  it  may  be  holy  among  us  also. 

19.  (277)     "When  does  the  name  of  God  become  holy  among  us  also?" 

"When  among  us  the  Word  of  God  is  taught  in  its  truth  and 
purity,  and  we  as  the  children  of  God  lead  a  holy  life  ac- 
cording to   it." 

20.  Where  has   God  revealed  himself  to  us,  that  is,  told  us  all  we 

should  know  about  Himself  and  His  name?     in  the  Bible. 

21.  When  a  child  is  to  learn,  what  must  be  done  for  it?     It  must 

be  tauaht. 


LESSON  79.  279 

22.  And  when  we  are  lo  learn  from  the  Word  of  God  what  we  should 

know  about  Him,  what  must  be  done  with  this  Word?  This 
Word  must  be  taught  us. 

23.  And  how  must  it  be  taught?     It  must  be  taught  in  its  truth  and 

purity. 

24.  Repeat  the   passage   John    17,    17.      "Sanctify   them    through   thy 

truth:    thy   Word   is  truth." 

25.  According  to  this  passage,  how  are  we  sanctified,  or  made  holy? 

Through   God's  truth. 

26.  And  what  truth  is  here  meant?     God's  Word,  the  holy  Scriptures. 

27.  But  if  God's  name   is   to   be   hallowed   among   us,   what  else  is 

necessary  besides  that  his  Word  be  taught  in  its  truth  and 
purity?  We,  as  the  children  of  God,  must  also  lead  a  holy 
life  according  to  it. 

28.  What  are  we  who  believe  God's  Word  and  trust  in  his  grace? 

We  are   His  children. 

29.  To  whom   is   the  good  behavior  of  a   child  an  honor?      It   is  an 

honor  to   its  parents. 

30.  When  a  boy  learns  well  and  is  well  behaved  at  school,  who  may 

be  proud  of  him?     His  parents  may  be  proud  of  him. 

31.  Yes,  the  father  of  such  a  boy  would  be  glad  to  say:   this  is  my 

boy.  When  a  girl  by  her  modesty  and  skill,  her  neatness 
and  diligence,  deserves  credit,  and  some  one  would  ask: 
whose  child  is  she?  who  is  glad  to  own  her  as  daughter? 
Her  parents  are  glad  to  do  so. 

32.  So  when  we  as  the  children  of  God  lead  holy  lives,  upon  whom 

does  this  reflect  honor?  It  reflects  honor  on  our  heavenly 
Father. 

33.  Repeat  the  passage.  Matt.  5,  16.     "Let  your  light  so  shine  before 

men,  that  they  may  see  your  good  works,  and  glorify  your 
Father  which   is  in  heaven." 

34.  When  men  see  our  good  works,  whom  will  they  glorify?     They 

will  glorify  our  Father  in  heaven. 

35.  What  two  things,  then,  are  necessary  in  order  that  the  name  of 

God  may  be  holy  among  us?  God's  Word  must  be  preached 
in  its  truth  and  purity  and  we  as  His  children  must  lead 
a  holy  life  according  to  it. 

36.  (278)     "Does  this  lie  in  our  power?"     "It  does  not;  therefore  we 

pray:     'This  grant  us  dear  Father  in  heaven.'" 

37.  By  nature  we  are  rather  inclined  not  to  preach  God's  Word  in 

its  truth  and  purity  nor  to  accept  it  when  it  is  thus  preached. 
Nor  are  we  inclined  to  lead  a  holy  life  according  to  this 
Word.  When  we  see  that  we  alone  are  not  able  to  do  a 
thing,  what  do  we  ask  for?     We  ask  for  help. 

38.  Who   alone  can  help  us  hallow   God's   name?     Our   dear    Father 

in   heaven. 

39.  So  we  read  Phil.  2,  13.     "It   is  God  which  worketh   in  you   both 

to  will  and  to  do  of  his  good  pleasure." 

40.  Read  also  2  Cor.  3,  5.     "Not  that  we  are  sufficient  of  ourselves  to 

think  anything  as  of  ourselves;  but  our  sufficiency  is  of 
God," 


280  LESSON  80. 

41.  (279)     "Who  profanes  the  name  of  God?"  "He  that  teaches  and 

lives  otherwise  than  God's  Word  teaches." 

42.  By  what  kind  of  teaching  do  men  get  a  false  idea  of  God  and  His 

name?     By  false  teaching. 

43.  When  a  church  teaches  that  God  would  hot  have  all  men,  but 

only  a  select  few,  saved,  and  men  hear  and  believe  this 
false  doctrine,  how  does  this  reflect  on  the  name  of  God? 
It  dishonors  the   name  of  God. 

44.  So  all  false  teaching  profanes  the  name  of  God,  that  is,  reflects 

dishonor  on  it.  We  read,  for  instance,  Ezek.  22,  26.  "Her 
priests  have  violated  my  law,  and  have  profaned  mine  holy 
things." 

45.  Read   also  Ps.    50,    16.    17.      "Unto   the   wicked    God    saith,    What 

hast  thou  to  do  to  declare  my  statutes,  or  that  thou  shouldst 
take  my  covenant  in  thy  mouth?  Seeing  thou  hatest  in- 
struction, and  castest  my  words  behind  thee." 

46.  But  God's  name  is  profaned  among  us  not  only  when  we  teach 

otherwise  than  God's  Word  teaches,  but  in  what  other  way? 
When  we  live  otherwise  than  God's  Word  teaches. 

47.  When   children   live  a  wicked  life,  upon  whom   does  this  reflect 

dishonor?     Upon  their  parents. 

48.  Good  children  are  an  honor  to  their  parents,  but  what  are  bad 

children?     They  are  a  disgrace  to  their  parents. 

49.  Repeat  Rom.  2,  23.  24.     "Thou  that  makest  thy  boast  of  the  law, 

through  breaking  the  law  dishonorest  thou  God?  For  the 
name  of  God  is  blasphemed  among  the  gentiles  through  you, 
as  it  is  written." 

50.  In  what  two  ways,  then,  is  the  name  of  God  profaned  among  us? 

By  false  teaching  and  a  wicked   life. 

51.  (280)     "Can   we  prevent  this  by  our  own  power?"     "We  cannot, 

hence  we   pray:     'From   this   preserve  us,   heavenly   Father.'" 

52.  By   nature    we    are   inclined    to   error   and    sin.     Who    alone   can 

keep  us  from  both  false  doctrine  and  a  wicked  life?  God 
alone  can  do  this. 

53.  On  this  account,  liow  does   lliis  question  in  the  Catechism  end? 

"From  this  preserve  us,  heavenly  Father." 

54.  From   what   do  we   here   ask   God    to   preserve   us?      From   false 

doctrine  and  a  godless  life. 


LESSON   80.     THE  SECOND   PETITION. 

(Questions  281-286.) 

1.  (281)     "Which  is  the  second  petition?"     "Thy  kingdom  come." 

2.  (282)     "What  does  this  mean?"    "The  kingdom  of  God  comes  in- 

deed without  our  prayer,  of  itself,  but  we  pray  in  this  petition 
that  it  may  come  unto  us  also." 


Lesson  8o.  281 

3.  (283)     "How  is  this  done?"     "When  our  heavenly  Father  gives  us 
.  His   Holy   Spirit,  so  that  by   His  grace  we   believe   His   holy 

Word  and  lead  a  godly  life,  here  in  time  and  hereafter  in 
eternity." 

4.  What  does  this  second  petition  treat  of?     It  treats  of  the   king- 

dom of  God. 

5.  Where  already  did  we  speak  of  the  kingdom  of  God,  or  of  Christ? 

Under  the  second  article  of  the  Creed. 

6.  How  manifold  is  the  kingdom  of  Christ?     The  kingdom  of  Christ 

is  threefold. 

7.  What  are  the  three  kingdoms  of  Christ?     The  kingdom  of  power, 

the  kingdom  of  grace,  and  the  kingdom  of  glory. 

8.  Read    the    passage    Ps.    103,    19.      "The    Lord    hath    prepared    His 

throne  in  the  heavens;    and  His  kingdom  ruleth  over  all." 

9.  What  kingdom  of  God  is  here  referred  to?    The  kingdom  of  power. 

10.  Over    what    does    this    kingdom    extend?      It    extends    over    all 

creatures. 

11.  This  kingdom  of  power  can  not  be  meant  when  we  pray:    "Thy 

kingdom  come."  For  this  kingdom  is  already  here,  and  we 
are  all  in  it.  What  two  other  kingdoms  of  God  are  there 
besides  this  kingdom  of  power?  The  kingdom  of  grace  and 
the  kingdom  of  glory. 

12.  (284)     "What  is  meant  in  this  petition  by  the  kingdom  of  God?" 

"His  kingdom  of  grace  and  of  glory.  (See  Question  191  to- 
gether with   its    passages)." 

13.  Turn  to  question   191   and   tell  me   what   does   Christ   do  in   His 

kingdom  of  grace?     He  protects  and  governs  the  church. 

14.  And   what   does    He   do    in   His   kingdom    of   glory?      He   forever 

lives  and  triumphs  with  His  saints  in  heaven. 

15.  Repeat  Col.  1,  12-14.     "Give  thanks  unto  the   Father,  which   hath 

made  us  meet  to  be  partakers  of  the  inheritance  of  the  saints 
in  light:  who  hath  delivered  us  from  the  power  of  dark- 
ness, and  hath  translated  us  into  the  kingdom  of  His  dear 
Son:  in  whom  we  have  redemption  through  His  blood,  even 
the  forgiveness  of  sin." 

16.  The  kingdom  of  grace  is  the  church  on  earth  and  the  kingdom 

of  glory  is  the  church  in  heaven.  By  nature  we  are  under 
what  power,  according  to  this  passage?  We  are  under  the 
power  of  darkness. 

17.  But  when  we  became  Christians  in   Baptism   we  were   delivered 

from  what  power,  or  kingdom?  From  the  kingdom  of  dark- 
ness. 

18.  And  we  were  translated,  or  put  over  into,  what  kingdom?     Into 

the  kingdom  of  His  dear  Sen,  into  Christ's  kingdom. 

19.  Yes,   through    faith   we   were    made    members   of    the     Christian 

Church.  This  is  the  king^lom  referred  to  in  Luke  12,  32. 
"Fear  not,  little  flock;  for  it  is  your  Father's  good  pleasure 
to  give  you  the  kingdom." 

20.  What  does  the  Catechism  say  about  the  coming  of  God's  kingdom? 

"The  kingdom  of  God  comes  indeed  without  our  prayer." 


282  LESSON  80. 

21.  That  is,  the  Church  with  its  blessings  is  here  on  earth,  and  will 

be  in  heaven,  whether  we  pray  for  its  coming  or  not.  There 
will  be  Christians  on  earth  and  saints  in  heaven  even  if  we 
are  not  among  them;  but  what,  according  to  the  Catechism, 
do  we  pray  for  in  this  petition?  That  the  kingdom  of  God 
"may  come  to  us  also." 

22.  Yes,  or  that  we  may  come  into  this  kingdom  of  God.     And  when 

are  we  in  the  kingdom?     When  we  believe  on  the  Savior. 

23.  (285)     "When  does  God's  kingdom  come  to  us  also?"    "When  our 

heavenly  Father  gives  us  His  Holy  Spirit." 

24.  Who   are  members   of  the   kingdom   of  God,   or   of  the   Church? 

All  true  believers. 

25.  Since   when   are   we   members   of  the    Church?     Since   we   were 

baptized. 

26.  Repeat  the  passage,  Mark  16,  16.     "He  that  believeth  and  is  bap- 

tized shall  be  saved;  but  he  that  believeth  not  shall  be 
damned." 

27.  What,  then,  is  necessary  in  order  that  we  may  become  members 

of  the  kingdom  of  God  and  be  saved?     Faith  is  necessary. 

28.  Who  alone  can  work  this  faith  in  us?     The  Holy  Ghost. 

29.  This   He   does   in  Baptism   as   we   see  from   John   .3,   5.     "Verily, 

verily,  I  say  unto  thee,  except  a  man  be  born  of  water  and  of 
the  Spirit,  he  cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God." 

30.  What  does  the  explanation  of  the  third  article  of  the  creed  say 

about  the  work  of  the  Holy  Ghost  in  us?  "I  believe  that  I 
cannot  by  my  own  reason  and  strength  believe  in  Jesus 
Christ  my  Lord  or  come  to  Him,  but  the  Holy  Ghost  has 
called  me  by  the  Gospel,  enlightened  me  with  His  gifts, 
sanctified  and   kept  me  in  the  true  faith." 

31.  Whose  work,  then,  is  it  when  we  are  brought  into  the  kingdom  of 

God  by  faith?     It  is  the  work  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

32.  (286)     "How  does  the  Holy  Ghost  bring  God's  kingdom  to  us?" 

"He  enables  us,  by  His  grace,  to  believe  His  holy  Word  and 
lead"  a  godly  life,  here  in  time  and  hereafter  in  eternity." 

33.  The  kingdom  of  God  comes  to  us  when  we  are  made  members  of 

the  Church.  And  what  is  necessary  on  our  part  in  order  that 
we  may  become  and  remain  members  of  the  church?  We 
must  believe  His  holy  Word. 

34.  And   how   are   we   brought   to   believe   His    holy  Word?     By    His 

grace. 

35.  And  what  kind  of  life  must  follow  such  faith?     A  godly  life. 

36.  Repeat  Ps.  119.  38.     "Stablish  Thy  Word  unto  Thy  servant,  who 

is  devoted  to  Thy  fear." 

37.  By  being  rooted  and  grounded  in  the  Word  of  God  we  are  brought 

and  kept  in  the  kingdom  of  God.  Read  also  Rom.  14,  17.18. 
"For  the  kingdom  of  God  is  not  meat  and  drink;  but  right- 
eousness, and  peace  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost.  For  he  that 
in  these  things  serveth  Christ  is  acceptable  to  God,  and  ap- 
proved of  men  " 


LESSON  80.  .  283 

38.  The  kingdom  of  God  does  not  consist  in  outward  things,  but  in 

the  spirit  and  disposition  of  the  heart.  It  comes  to  us,  or  we 
are  brought  into  it,  when  the  Holy  Ghost  works  in  us  faith, 
righteousness,  peace  and  joy.  As  the  Savior  also  says  Luke 
17,  20,  21.  "When  He  was  demanded  of  the  Pharisees,  when 
the  kingdom  of  God  should  come  He  answered  them  and  said: 
the  kingdom  of  God  cometh  not  with  observation:  neither 
shall  they  say.  Lo  here!  or,  lo  there!  for,  behold,  the  king- 
dom of  God  is  within  you." 

39.  But  we  pray  for  the  coming,  not  only  of  the  kingdom  of  grace, 

but  of  what  other  kingdom?     Of  the  kingdom  of  glory. 

40.  In  the  explanation  of  the  second  article  of  the  creed  we  say  that 

Christ  redeemed  us  that  we  might  live  under  Him  in  his 
kingdom  and  serve  Him,  how?  In  everlasting  righteousness, 
innocence  and  blessedness. 

41.  Yes,  we  are  to  believe  His  holy  Word  and  lead  a  godly  life  not 

only  here  in  time  but  where?     Hereafter  in  eternity. 

42.  We  look  forward  to  the  coming  of  that  blessed  time  when  the 

kingdom  of  grace  shall  be  changed  into  the  kingdom  of 
glory,  as  St.  Paul  did  when  he  wrote  2  Tim.  4,  18.  "The 
Lord  shall  deliver  me  from  every  evil  work,  and  will  preserve 
me  unto  His  heavenly  kingdom." 

43.  This  is  the  blessed  hope  of  God's  children,  and  for  this  they  pray. 

Those  who  refuse  to  believe  God's  Work  and  to  lead  a  godly 
life  cannot  enter  the  kingdom  of  God  nor  remain  in  it,  nor 
can  they  hope  to  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  glory,  as  we 
learn  from  Rom.  2,  23.24.  "Thou  that  makest  thy  boast  of 
the  law,  through  breaking  the  law  dishonorest  thou  God. 
For  the  name  of  God  is  blasphemed  among  the  Gentiles 
through  you." 

44.  In  praying  this  petition  we  think  not  only  of  ourselves   but  of 

others.  We  would  have  God's  kingdom  come  not  only  to  us 
but  toi  all  men.  What  did  Jesus  say  to  Peter,  Luke  22,  32. 
"When  thou  art  converted,  strengthen  thy  brethren." 

45.  When  Peter  would  himself  have  arisen  from  his  sad  fall  through 

repentance  he  should  help  and  be  of  service  to  his  brethren 
that  they  might  be  strengthened  and  kept  in  the  faith. 
What  does  St.  James  say,  chapter  5,  19-20?  "Brethren,  if 
any  of  you  do  err  from  the  truth,  and  one  convert  him;  let 
him  know  that  he  which  converteth  a  sinner  from  the  error 
of  his  way  shall  save  a  soul  from  death  and  shall  hide  a  mul- 
titude of  sins." 

46.  We  should  all  be  interested  in  the  saving  of  souls.     There  is  no 

greater  work  on  earth  than  the  work  of  saving  immortal 
souls.  And  oh,  how  many  unsaved  souls  there  are  in  the 
world!  Not  only  among  the  heathen  who  know  not  God  and 
the  way  of  salvation,  but  even  here  in  our  own  country  there 
are  thousands  who  have  drifted  away  from  the  Church  and 
are  deprived  of  its  blessings.  What  does  St.  James  in  this 
passage  say  of  anyone  who  shall  convert  a  sinner  from  the 
error  of  his  way?     He  shall  save  a  soul  from  death, 


284  LESSON  8i. 

47.  We  cannot  honestly  pray  that  the  kingdom  of  God  may  come  to 

our  fellowmen  if  we  are  not  willing  to  work  for  its  coming. 
Repeat  what  the  Savior  says,  Matt.  9,  37,  38.  "Then  saith  He 
unto  Ills  disciples,  the  harvest  truly  is  plenteous,  but  the 
laborers  are  few;  pray  ye  therefore  the  Lord  of  the  harvest, 
that  He  will  send  forth  laborers  into  his  harvest." 

48.  What  do  we  call  the  great  work  of  preaching  the  Gospel  to  those 

who  are  without  its  blessings?  We  call  it  the  work  of 
missions. 

49.  When  Jesus  looked  at  the  world  it  appeared  like  a  great  harvest 

field.  When  a  field  is  ready  to  be  harvested,  what  is  needed? 
Hands,  reapers,  are  needed. 

50.  And  according  to  .Jesus'  words,  where  are  these  to  come  from? 

The  Lord  must  send  them. 

51.  And  what  are  we  to  do?     We  are  to  pray  the  Lord  to  send  them. 

52.  Yes,  and  we  can  do  more.     Suppose  He  wants  to  send  us  what 

should  we  do?     We  should  go. 

53.  And  suppose  He  wants  to  send  one  of  our  friends  who  has  not 

the  money  to  educate  himself  for  the  Gospel  ministry  so  as 
to  become  a  laborer  in  the  Lord's  vineyard,  what  should  we 
do?     We  should  help  furnish  him  with  the  means. 

54.  So  this   petition:     "Thy   kingdom    come"   directs   us   to   take   an 

interest  in  what  great  work?     In  the  great  work  of  missions. 


LESSON  81.     THE  THIRD   PETITION. 

(Questions  287-295.) 

1.  (287)     "Which    is    the   third    petition?"      "Thy    will    be    done    on 

earth  as  it  is  in  heaven." 

2.  (288)     "What  does  this  mean?"     "The  good  and  gracious  will  of 

God  is  done  indeed  without  our  prayer;  but  we  pray  in  this 
petition   that   it  may   be   done   among   us  also." 

:].  (289)  "How  is  this  done?  '  "When  God  breaks  and  hinders  every 
evil  counsel  and  will  which  would  not  let  us  hallow  God's 
name  nor  let  His  kingdom  come,  such  as  the  will  of  the  devil, 
the  world  and  our  flesh;  but  strengthens  and  preserves  us 
steadfast  in  His  Word  and  faith  unto  our  end.  This  is  His 
gracious  and  good  will." 

4.  What  does  this  petition  treat  of?     It  treats  of  the  will  of  God. 

5.  What  kind  of  will  is  the  will  of  God,  according  to  Luther's  answer 

in  question  288?     It  is  a  gracious  and  good  will. 

6.  God   is  good   and   what  He  wills  cannot  but  be   good  and  right. 

He  governs  the  world  according  to  His  own  will,  and  in  this 
no  one  can  resist  Him.  His  will  is  done  in  nature  whether 
we  pray  or  not,  and  His  will  is  good  whether  we  see  it  or  not. 
But  the  Catechism  speaks  not  only  of  the  good  will  of  God 
but  of  what  other  will?     Of  the  gracious  will. 

7.  Where  has  God  revealed  His  will  to  us,  that  is,  what  He  wants 

US  to  do  and  what  not  to  do?     In  the  Scriptures, 


LESSON  8i.  285 

S.     In  what  part,  of  the  Catechism  did  we  treat  of  this?     In  the  first 
chief  part,  the  ten  commandments. 

9.     What  has  God  threatened  to  do  with  those  who  transgress  His 
holy  will?     He  has  threatened  to  punish  them. 

10.  What  has  God,  however,  promised  to  do  with  the  sins  of  those 

who  repent?     He  has  promised  to  forgive  them. 

11.  Yes,   He  is   willing   to   forgive,   and   on   that   account   his    will    is 

what  kind  of  will?     It  is  a  gracious  will. 

12.  When  a   king   pardons   his   enemies,   and   bestows   all   manner   of 

good  upon  them,  what  kind  of  king  is  he?  He  is  a  gracious 
king. 

13.  Read  John  6,  40,  and  let  us  see  from  it  what  is  the  gracious  will 

of  God.  "This  is  the  will  of  Him  that  sent  me,  that  every 
one  which  seeth  the  Son,  and  believeth  on  Him,  may  have 
everlasting  life:   and   I  will  raise  him  up  at  the  last  day." 

14.  In    John    :!■    16,    we    have    another    very    fine    description    of    the 

gracious  will  of  God.  Who  can  repeat  this  beautiful  passage? 
"God  so  loved  the  world,  that  He  gave  his  only  begotten  Son, 
that  whosoever  believeth  in  him  should  not  perish,  but  have 
everlasting  life." 

15.  Even  in  the  Old  Testament  this  gracious  will  of  God  was  clearly 

revealed,  as  we  see  from  Ezek.  S'i,  11.  "As  I  live,  saith  the 
Lord,  I  have  no  pleasure  in  the  death  of  the  wicked;  but  that 
the  wicked  turn  from  his  way  and  live:  turn  ye,  turn  ye  from 
your  evil  ways;  for  why  will  ye  die,  O  house  of  Israel?" 

16.  How  does  the  Apostle  Paul  describe  tlie  will  of  God  in  1  Tim.  2,  4? 

"Who  will  have  all  men  to  be  saved,  and  to  come  unto  the 
knowledge  of  the  truth." 

17.  How  does  St.  Peter  describe  the  will  of  God,  2  Peter  3,  9?     "The 

Lord  is  not  slack  concerning  his  promise,  as  some  men 
count  slackness;  but  is  long-suffering  to  usward,  not  willing 
that  any  should  perish,  but  that  all  should  come  to  repen- 
tance." 

18.  (290)      "What   do   we   understand   in   this   petition   by   the  will  of 

God?"  "That  his  name  be  hallowed  and  his  kingdom  come; 
or,  that  we  remain  steadfast  in  His  Word  and  faith  unto  our 
end." 

19.  How,  according  to   question  277,   is  the   name  of  God   hallowed? 

"When  among  us  the  Word  of  God  is  taught  in  its  truth  and 
purity,  and  we  as  the  children  of  God  also  lead  a  holy  life 
according  to  it." 

20.  And   how,   according   to   question   283.   does   His   kingdom   come? 

"When  our  heavenly  Father  gives  us  his  Holy  Spirit,  so  that 
by  his  grace  we  believe  His  holy  Word  and  lead  a  godly  life 
here  in   time  and   hereafter   in   eternity." 

21.  God's  will  is  not  only  that  we  believe  His  holy  Word,  but  what 

else  is  His  will?     His  will   is  also  that  we  lead  a  godly  life. 

22.  This   we  see  from   1    Thes.   4.   3.     "This   is  the  will    of   God.   even 

your  sanctification." 

23.  (291)      "What   do    we    accordin,i;ly    here    pray    for?"      "That    God's 

good   and   gracious   will   be  done   among   us   also." 


286  LESSON  8i. 

24.  How,  according  to  question  288,  is  God's  will  done?     "The  good 

and  gracious  will  of  God  is  done  indeed  without  our  prayer." 

25.  That   is,   God   will    do   as   he   pleases   in    governing   the    world, 

whether  we  pray  or  not,  and  there  will  be  some  people  who 
believe  His  holy  Word  and  lead  a  godly  life,  whether  we  do 
or  not,  then  what  do  we  ask  for  in  this  petition?  That  the 
will  of  God  may  be  done  among  us  also. 

26.  (292)     "When    is   this    done?"      "When    God    breaks    and    hinders 

every  evil  counsel  and  will  which  would  not  let  us  hallow 
God's  name  nor  let  His  kingdom  come." 

27.  It  is  God's  will  that  we  believe  on  the  T^ord  Jesus  Christ  and  be 

saved,  but  who  alone  can  work  such  faith  in  us?  The  Holy 
Ghost. 

28.  This  we  see  from  Phil.  2,  13.     "For  it  is  God  which  worketh   in 

you  both  to  will  and  to  do  of  His  good  pleasure." 

29.  Read  also  Jer.  31,  18,  the  latter  half.     "Turn  thou  me  and  I  shall 

be  turned;   for  thou  art  the  Lord  my  God." 

30.  Also  Ps.  51,  10.     "Create  in  me  a  clean  heart,  O  God,  and  renew  a 

right  spirit  within  me." 

31.  Also  Ps.  143,  10.    "Teach  me  to  do  thy  will;  for  thou  art  my  God: 

thy  spirit  Is  good;    lead  me  into  the  land  of  uprightness." 

32.  This  is  God's  good  and  gracious  will,  but  what  other  will  is  there 

that  is  not  a  gracious  and  good  will?  There  is  also  an  evil 
counsel  and  will. 

33.  (293)     "Who  has  such  an  evil  counsel  and  will?  "     "The  devil,  the 

world,  and  our  flesh." 

34.  We  have  seen  that  it  is  the  will  of  God  that  we  believe  His  holy 

Word  and  be  saved.  But  what  is  the  devil's  will?  .lust  the 
opposite  of  God's  will.     That  we  do  not  believe  and  are  lost. 

35.  Read  1  Peter  5,  8.     "Be  sober,  be  vigilant;   because  your  adversary 

the  devil,  as  a  roaring  lion,  walketh  about,  seeking  whom  he 
may  devour." 

36.  He  tempts  us  to  do  contraiy  to  God's  will  and.  word.     Can  you 

give  me  an  example  of  such  temptation?  Our  first  parents 
in  paradise.     He  also  tempted  the  Savior  in  the  wilderness. 

37.  Now  let  us   see  from  James   4,  7.  what  we  should  do  when   the 

devil  thus  tempts  us.  "Submit  yourselves  therefore  to  God. 
Resist  the  devil,  and   he  will  flee  from  you." 

38.  Now  who  is  in  league  with  the  devil  in  this  evil  council  and  will? 

The  world. 

39.  By  this  is  meant  the  wicked  people  in  the  world.     Read  1  John 

2,  15-17.  "Love  not  the  world,  neither  the  things  that  are  in 
the  world.  If  any  man  love  the  world,  the  love  of  the  Father 
is  not  in  him.  For  all  that  is  in  the  world,  the  lust  of  the 
flesh,  and  the  lust  of  the  eyes,  and  the  pride  of  life,  is  not 
of  the  Father,  but  is  of  the  world.  And  the  world  passeth 
away,  and  the  lust  thereof:  but  he  that  doeth  the  will  of  God 
abldeth  forever." 

■I(t.     What  else  is  opposed  to  our  doing  God's   will   l)esides   the  devil 
find  the  world?     Our  own  flesh. 


LESSON  8i.  287 

41.  ileud  Gen.  4,  7.     "If  thou  doest  well,  shalt  thou  not  be  accepted/ 

And  if  thou  doest  not  well,  sin  lieth  at  the  door:  and  unto 
thee  shall  be  his  desire,  and  thou  shalt  rule  over  him." 

42.  Here  God  warned   Cain  against  sin,  that  is,  against  tbe  wicked- 

ness and  hatred  in  his  own  heart.  This  was  Cain's  flesh,  the 
sinfulness  of  his  own  nature.  This  flesh  was  opposed  to 
doing  the  will  of  God,  and  in  favor  of  doing  the  devil's  will. 
Read  also  Rom.  8,  7.  "Because  the  carnal  mind  is  enmity 
against  God:  for  it  Is  not  subject  to  the  law  of  God,  neither 
indeed  can  be." 

43.  Now   what  must  be  done  with  this  evil  counsel  and   will  of  the 

devil,  the  world  and  our  flesh  if  God's  will  is  to  be  done? 
This  evil  will  must  be  broken  and  hindered. 

44.  And  who  alone  can  break  and  hinder  this  evil  counsel  and  willY 

God  alone  can  do  it. 

45.  (294)     "In    what   manner    does    God    break   and    hinder   this   evil 

counsel  and  will?"  "He  strengthens  and  preserves  us  stead- 
fast in  His  Word  and  faith  unto  our  end." 

46.  Let  us  see  how  this  was  done  in  the  case  of  Simon  Peter.     Read 

Luke  22,  31.  32.  "The  Lord  said,  Simon,  Simon,  behold, 
Satan  hath  desired  to  have  you,  that  he  may  sift  you  as 
wheat:  but  I  have  prayed  for  thee,  that  thy  faith  fail  not: 
and   when  thou   art  converted,  strengthen   thy   brethren." 

47.  Repeat  1  John  5,  4.     "Whatsoever  is  born  of  God  overcometh  the 

world:  and  this  is  the  victory  that  overcometh  the  world, 
even   our  faith." 

48.  By  prayer  and  faith  we  may  overcome  the  world,  the  flesh  and 

the  devil.  Our  faith  is  the  victory  that  overcometh  the 
world,  and  who  is  it  that  kindles  and  preserves  this  faith'' 
It  is  God. 

49.  Now   let  us   see  how   the   will  of  the  flesh   must  be   broken  and 

hindered.  Read  Rom.  8,  13,  14.  "For  if  ye  live  after  the 
flesh,  ye  shall  die;  but  if  ye  through  the  spirit  do  mortify 
the  deeds  of  the  body,  ye  shall  live.  For  as  many  as  are 
led  by  the  Spirit  of  God  they  are  the  sons  of  God." 

50.  That    God    alone    must    work    and    preserve    faith    we    see    from 

Phil.  1,  6.  "Being  confident  of  this  very  thing,  that  He 
which  hath  begun  a  good  work  in  you  will  perform  it  until 
the  day  of  Jesus  Christ." 

51.  Read  also  1  Thes.  5,  23.     "And  the  very  God  of  peace  sanctify  you 

wholly;  and  I  pray  God  your  whole  spirit  and  soul  and  body 
be  preserved  blameless  unto  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ." 

52.  But  the  faith  by  which  we  are  kept  unto  salvation  is  not  a  dead 

but  a  living  faith,  a  faith  that  shows  itself  by  works,  as  we 
see  from  Gal.  5,  6.  "In  Jesus  Christ  neither  circumcision 
availeth  anything,  nor  uncircumcision;  but  faith  which 
worketh  by  love." 

53.  As   Christians,  God's  dear  children,  we  should  cheerfully  submit 

to  His  will  in  all  things.  He  rules  and  orders  our  life  ac- 
cording to  His  wisdom,  for  our  good.  God  knows  best  what 
IS  good  for  us.  How  do  we  express  our  submission  to  His 
will  in  this  petition?     By  saying:  Thy  will  be  done. 


288  LESSON  82. 

54.  Of  this  submission  the  Savior  himself  gave  us  the  best  example. 

Read  Mat.  26,  39.  "O  my  Father,  if  it  be  possible,  let  this 
cup  pass  from  me:  nevertheless  not  as  I  will,  but  as  thou 
wilt." 

55.  What  does  the  Savior  say,  Luke  9,  23?     "He  said  to  them  all,  if 

any  man  will  come  after  me,  let  him  deny  himself,  and  take 
up  his  cross  daily,  and  follow  me." 

56.  Following  the   Savior  is  not  an   easy  matter.     The   world   perse- 

cuted Him  and  what  must  we  expect  if  we  faithfully  follow 
Him?     That  the  world  will  also  persecute  us. 

57.  (295)    -"Why  do  we  add:     On  earth  as  It  is  in  heaven?"    "That  we 

may  take  example  of  the  holy  angels  and  do  the  will  of  God 
gladly   and   cheerfully." 

58.  Who  does  the  will  of  God  in  heaven?     The  angels  and  saints. 

59.  Repeat  Ps.     103,   21.     "Bless  ye  the    Lord,   all   ye    his   hosts;    ye 

ministers  of  his  that  do  his  pleasure." 

60.  The  angels  and  saints  do  the  will  of  God  not  by  conpulsion,  but 

how?     Cheerfully  and  willingly. 

61.  And  they  do  it  not  imperfectly,  but  how?     They  do   it  perfectly. 

62.  And  so  we  ask  God  to  help  us  how  to  do  the  will  of  God?    To  do 

it  willingly  and  perfectly. 


LESSON    82.     THE    FOURTH    PETITION. 

(Questions  296-304.) 

1.  (296)      "Which   is    the   fourth   petition?"      "Give    us   this    day    our 

daily   bread." 

2.  (297)     "What  does  this  mean?"    "God   gives   daily    bread    indeed 

without  our  prayer,  also  to  the  wicked;  but  we  pray  in  this 
petition  that  He  would  lead  us  to  know  and  to  receive  our 
daily  bread  with  thanksgiving." 

3.  (298)      "What  is  meant  l)y  daily  bread?"  "Everything  that  belongs 

to  the  support  and  wants  of  the  body;  such  as  food,  drink, 
clothing,  shoes,  house,  home,  fields,  cattle,  money,  goods,  a 
pious  spouse,  pious  children,  pious  servants,  pious  and  faith- 
ful rulers,  good  government,  good  weather,  peace,  health, 
discipline,  honor,  good  friends,  faithful  neighbors,  and  the 
like." 

4.  What  is  the  subject  of  this  petition?     Daily  bread. 

5.  In    the    first    three    petitions    we    asked    for    spiritual    blessings, 

what  do  we  ask  for  in  this  fourth  petition?  For  bodily 
blessings. 

6.  Why,  according  to  the  first  part  of  answer  298,  do  we  need  bodily 

blessings?  We  need  them  for  the  support  and  wants  of  the 
body. 

7.  Why  does  the   Savior  place  the  petitions  for  spiritual   blessings 

first?     Because  they  are  the  most  necessary. 


LESSON  82.  289 

H.  The  Savior  himself  tells  us  tliis  in  Mat.  G,  33.  "Seek  ye  first  the 
kingdom  of  God,  and  His  righteousness;  and  all  these  things 
shall  be  added  unto  you." 

9.  And  yet  we  have  not  only  souls,  but  also  bodies  that  must  be 
eared  for.  In  this  fourth  petition  we  ask  God  to  remember 
our  bodily  wants.  In  question  298  some  of  the  things  neces- 
sary for  our  bodily  welfare  are  mentioned.  What  do  we 
need  when  we  are  hungry  and  thirsty?  We  need  food  and 
drink. 

10.  What  do  we  need  to  protect  us  from  cold?     We   need   clothing 

and  shoes. 

11.  What  do  we  need  for  shelter?     We  need  house  and  home. 

12.  What  do  we  need  to  grow  food  and  clothing?     We  need  fields  and 

cattle. 

13.  What  do  we  need  to  buy  or  give  in  exchange  for  what  we  want? 

We  need  money  and  goods. 

14.  Because  it  is  not  good  for  man  to  be  alone,  what  do  we  need  in 

order  to  be  happy  in  the  family?  We  need  a  pious  spouse, 
pious  children,  and  pious  servants. 

15.  And  what  do  we  need  for  our  public  welfare  in  the  state?     We 

need  pious  and  faithful  rulers  and  good  government. 
IG.     And  what  other  things  are  here  mentioned  as  necessary  lor  our 
bodily    welfare?     Good    weather,     peace,     health,    discipline, 
honor,  good  friends,  faithful  neighbors  and  the  like. 

17.  In  what  single  word  does  the  Savior  in  the  Lord's  Prayer  include 

all  this?     In  the  word  "bread". 

18.  What  is  the  commonest  article  of  food  on  our  tables?     It  is  bread. 

19.  (299)     "Why  do  we  here  ask  God  only  for  daily  bread?"  "Because 

we  are  to  be  content  with  our  daily  bread,  or  with  what 
belongs  to  the  support  and  wants  of  the  body." 

20.  Bread  is  very  ordinary  food.     It  is  not  a  luxury  but  a  necessity. 

We  could  miss  anything  else  from  our  tables  rather  than 
bread.  And  how  should  we  feel  about  it  when  God  supplies 
us  with  plain,  common  food?     We  should  be  content. 

21.  Repeat  Prov.  CO,  7-9.     "Two  things  have  I  required  of  thee;    deny 

me  them  not  before  I  die:  Remove  far  from  me  vanity  and 
lies:  give  me  neither  poverty  nor  riches;  feed  me  with 
food  convenient  for  me:  Lest  I  be  full,  and  deny  Thee,  and 
say,  Who  is  the  Lord?  or  lest  I  be  poor,  and  steal,  and  take 
the  name  of  my  God  in  vain," 

22.  What  does   Solomon   here  ask   God   not  to   give   him?      He   asks 

God  to  give  him   neither  poverty  nor  riches. 

23.  But  what  does  he  ask  of  God?     "Feed  me  with  food  convenient 

for  me." 

24.  That   is,    give    me    what   I    really    need,    neither    more    nor    less. 

Repeat  1  Tim.  6,  6-10.  "Godliness  with  contentment  is  great 
gain.  For  we  brought  nothing  into  this  world,  and  it  is 
certain  we  can  carry  nothing  out.  And  having  food  and  rai- 
ment let  us  be  therewith  content.  But  they  that  will  be 
rich  fall  into  temptation  and  a  snare,  and  into  many  foolish 
and  hurtful  lusts,  which  drown  men  in  destruction  and  per- 
dition. For  the  love  of  money  is  the  root  of  all  evil:  which 
while  some  coveted  after,  they  have  erred  from  the  faith,  and 
pierced  themselves  through  with  many  sorrows." 
10 


290  LESSON  82. 

25.  What,  should  we  be  content  with?     We  should    be   content  with 

food  and  raiment. 

26.  In  John  6,  1-13,  we  have  the  story  of  how  Jesus  fed  the  hungry 

multitude.  What  did  he  give  them  to  eat?  He  gave  them 
barley  bread  and  fish. 

27.  This  was  plain  food,  but  there  was  plenty  of  it.     Read  the  12th 

verse.  "When  they  were  filled,  he  said  unto  his  disciples, 
Gather  up  the  fragments  that  remain,  that  nothing  be  lost." 

28.  (300)     'Why  do  we  say  this  day?"   "Because  we  are  not  to  be  anx- 

iously concerned  for  the  morrow." 

29.  The  Savior  teaches  us  to  say,  not:    give  us  this  week,  nor  this 

month,  nor  this  year,  our  daily  bread,  but  what  does  he  teach 
us  to  say?  He  teaches  us  to  say:  Give  us  this  day  our 
daily  bread. 

30.  What  are  we  not  to  be  anxiously  concerned  about?     About  to- 

morrow. 

31.  No,  for  if  God  gives  us  what  we  need  today,  we  should  trust  Him 

to  do  the  same  tomorrow.  Repeat  Matt.  6,  34.  "Take  there- 
fore no  thought  for  the  morrow:  for  the  morrow  shall  take 
thought  for  the  things  of  itself.  Sufficient  unto  the  day 
is  the  evil   thereof." 

32.  Read  also  the  24th  and  33rd  verses  of  the  same  chapter.     "No 

man  can  serve  two  masters:  for  either  he  will  hate  the  one, 
and  love  the  other;  or  else  he  will  hold  to  the  one,  and 
despise  the  other.  .  .  But  seek  ye  first  the  kingdom  of 
God  and  his  righteousness;  and  all  these  things  shall  be 
added  unto  you." 

33.  Why  should  we  borrow  trouble,  and  worry  over  what  the  future 

may  bring?  To  whom  should  we  leave  the  future?  We 
should  leave  it  to  God. 

34.  All  our  worrying  will  accomplish  nothing.     It  is  not  only  foolish 

but  sinful  to  worry  over  the  future,  as  we  see  from  Ps.  127, 
1.  2.  "Except  the  Lord  build  the  house,  they  labor  in  vain 
that  build  it:  except  the  Lord  keep  the  city,  the  watchman 
wa^tcheth  but  in  vain.  It  is  vain  for  you  to  rise  up  early,  to 
sit  up  late,  to  eat  the  bread  of  sorrows:  for  so  he  giveth  his 
beloved  sleep." 

35.  (302)     "Why    do    we    pray    that    God    should    give    us    our    daily 

bread?"  "Because  we  must  receive  all  that  we  need  from 
our  kind   Father  in   heaven." 

36.  Repeat  what  is  written  James  1,  17.     "Every  good  gift  and  every 

perfect  gift  is  from  above  and  cometh  down  from  the  Father 
of  lights,  with  whom  is  no  variableness  neither  shadow  of 
turning." 

37.  Repeat  Ps.  145,  15.  16.     "The  eyes  of  all  wait  upon  thee;   and  thou 

givest  them  their  meat  in  due  season.  Thou  openest  thine 
hand  and   satisfiest  the  desire  of  every   living  thing." 

38.  And  what  induces  God  to  give  us  all  that  we  need?     He  does  it 

out  of  love  and   mercy. 

39.  How   does   Luther  express   this   in   the   concluding  words   of  his 

explanation  of  the  first  article  of  the  creed?    "All  this  purely 
out   of  fatherly  and   divine   goodness  and   mercy  without  any 
-    merit  or  worthiness  in   me." 


LESSON  82.  291 

40.  Read   1   Cor.    4,    7.      "Who    maketh   thee   to   differ   from    another? 

And  what  hast  thou  that  thou  didst  not  receive?  Now  if 
thou  didst  receive  it,  why  dost  thou  glory,  as  if  thou  hadst 
not  received  it?" 

41.  (303)     "To  whom  even  does  God  give  their  daily   bread?"     "God 

gives  daily  bread  indeed  without  our  prayer,  also  to  ail  the 
wicked." 

42.  Repeat  Matt.   5,   45.      "That   ye   may   be   children   of  your    Father 

which  is  in  heaven:  for  he  maketh  his  sun  to  rise  on  the 
evil  and  on  the  good,  and  sendeth  rain  on  the  just  and  on 
the  unjust." 

43.  Read   also   Ps.   17.    13.    14.      "Arise,    O    Lord,    disappoint    him,   cast 

him  down:  deliver  my  soul  from  the  wicked,  which  is  thy 
sword:  From  men  which  are  thy  hand,  O  Lord,  from  men 
of  the  world,  which  have  their  portion  in  this  life,  and  whose 
belly  thou  fillest  with  thy  hid  treasure:  they  are  full  of 
children,  and  leave  the  rest  of  their  substance  to  their  babes." 

44.  Also  Ps.  73,  12.     "Behold  these  are  the  ungodly,  who  prosper  in 

the  world:   they  increase  in  riches." 

45.  Yes,  God  is  so  gracious  that  He  even  blesses  the  v^^icked  with 

the  good  things  of  this  life,  although  they  despise  the 
spiritual  blessings  of  the  world  to  come.  They  are  satisfied 
to  enjoy  the  pleasures  of  the  flesh  in  this  world  and  care 
nothing  for  heaven  and  its  treasures.  This  was  the  case 
with  the  rich  man.  Read  what  Abraham  said  to  him,  Luke 
16,  25.  "Abraham  said:  son  remember  that  thou  in  thy  life- 
time receivedst  thy  good  things  and  likewise  Lazarus  evil 
things:   but  now  he  is  comforted,  and  thou  art  tormented." 


46. 


Read  also  Jer.  5,  23.  24.  "This  people  hath  a  revolting  and  a 
rebellious  heart;  they  are  revolted  and  gone.  Neither  say 
they  in  their  heart,  let  us  now  fear  the  Lord  our  God,  that 
giveth  rain,  both  the  former  and  the  latter,  in  his  season: 
he  reserveth  unto  us  the  appointed  weeks  of  the  harvest." 

-17.  (304)  "Why  then  do  we  pray  to  God  for  it?"  "That  He  would 
lead  us  to  know,  and  to  receive  our  daily  bread  with 
thanksgiving." 

48.  Who  must  lead  us  to  know  that  our  daily  bread  comes  from  Him? 

God  must  do  it. 

49.  Read   2    Cor.    3,    5.      "Not   that   we   are    sufficient   of   ourselves   to 

think  anything  as  of  ourselves;    but  our  sufficiency  is  of  God." 

50.  God  himself  must  open  our  eyes  to  see  His  goodness.     And  how 

should  we  receive  our  daily  bread?  We  should  receive  it 
with   thanksgiving. 

51.  Repeat    Ps.    50,    23.      "Whoso    offereth    praise    glorifieth    me:    and 

to  him  that  ordereth  his  conversation  aright  will  I  shew  the 
salvation    of   God." 

52.  When   the  Lord   cleansed   the   ten   lepers,   how   many    relnrned   (o 

give  thanks?  Read  Luke  17.  17.  18.  "Jesus  answering  said, 
were  there  not  ten  cleansed?  But  where  are  the  nine? 
There  are  not  found  that  returned  to  give  glory  to  God, 
save  this  stranger." 


292  LESSON  83. 

53.  We  pray:      Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread.     We  ask  for  our 

own  bread,  the  bread  which  God  gives  us  through  the  labor 
of  our  own  hands.  Repeat  Ps.  128,  1.  2.  "Blessed  is  every 
one  that  feareth  the  Lord;  that  walketh  in  his  ways.  For 
thou  shalt  eat  the  labor  of  thine  hands:  happy  shalt  thou  be, 
and  it  shall  be  well  with  thee." 

54.  What  God  gives   we  should  thankfully  receive  and  not  despise 

as  we  see  from  1  Tim.  4,  3-5.  "Forbidding  to  marry,  and 
commanding  to  abstain  from  meats,  which  God  hath  created 
to  be  received  with  thanksgiving  of  them  which  believe 
and  know  the  truth.  For  every  creature  of  God  is  good,  and 
nothing  to  be  refused,  if  it  be  received  with  thanksgiving." 

55.  When  we  ask  for  our  daily  bread  we  think  not  only  of  ourselves 

but  of  others.  We  ask  that  God  may  especially  remember 
the  poor.  Read  Ps.  132,  15.  "I  will  abundantly  bless  her 
provision:     I  will  satisfy  her  poor  with  bread." 

56.  Also  Ps.  37,  25.     "I  have  been  young  and  now  am  old;    yet  have 

I  not  seen  the  righteous  forsaken,  nor  his  seed  begging 
bread." 

57.  Also  Ps.  33,  IS.  19.     "Behold  the  eye  of  the   Lord   is  upon  them 

that  fear  him,  upon  them  that  hope  in  his  mercy;  to  de- 
liver their  soul  from  death,  and  to  keep  them  alive  in 
famine." 


LESSON   83.     THE   FIFTH    PETITION. 

(Questions  305-311.) 

(305)     "Which  is  the  fifth  petition?"     "Forgive  us  our  trespasses 
as  we  forgive  those  who  trespass  against  us." 

(306)  "What  does  this  mean?"  "We  pray  in  this  petition  that 
our  Father  in  heaven  would  not  look  upon  our  sins,  nor  on 
their  account  deny  these  our  petitions;  for  we  are  worthy 
of  none  of  the  things  for  which  we  pray,  neither  have  we 
deserved  them;  but  that  He  would  grant  them  all  to  us  by 
grace;  for  we  daily  sin  much,  and  indeed  deserve  nothing 
but  punishment.  We  will  also  heartily  forgive  and  readily 
do  good  to  those  who  sin  against  us." 

What  does  this  petition  treat  of?     It  treats  of  trespasses. 

(307)  "What  do  we  understand  here  by  our  trespasses?"  "All 
our  sins.     (Compare  Questions  125-128.)" 

Turn  to  question  123.  and  tell  me  what  is  sin?  Sin  is  every 
transgression  of  the  divine  law. 

Tell  me  from  question  125  of  how  many  kinds  is  sin?  Two. 
original  and  actual. 

What  is  original  sin?  Qiu'stioii  126.  It  is  the  utter  depravity  of 
the  whole  human  nature  which  since  the  fall  of  Adam  is 
inborn   in   all   men. 

And  what  is  actual  sin?  Question  128.  All  that  is  done  con- 
trary to  the  ten  commandments  in  thought,  word  and  deed, 


LESSON  83.  293 

9.  Tell  me  from  question  129:  What  are  the  consequences  of  sin? 
God  is  thereby  most  deeply  offended  and  moved  to  temporal 
and   eternal   punishment. 

10.  (:J08)     "What  do  we  pray  for  in  this  petition?"     "That  our  Father 

in  heaven  would  not  look  upon  our  sins,  nor  on  their  ac- 
count deny  these   our  petitions." 

11.  If  God  loolved  upon  our  sins,  that  is,  remembered  them  against 

us,  what  would  He  have  to  do?     He  would  have  to  punish  us. 

12.  And  if  He  lool-ced  upon  our  sins,  what  would  He  have  to  do  with 

all  our  petitions?     He  would  have  to  deny  them. 

13.  (oU9)     "Why  is  this  necessary?"  "Because  we  are  worthy  of  none 

of  the  things  for  which  we  pray,  neither  have  we  deserved 
them." 

14.  We  are  worthy  of  none  of  God's  gifts,  as  we  see  from  Gen.  32,  10. 

"I  am  not  worthy  of  the  least  of  all  the  mercies,  and  of 
all  the  truth,  which  thou  hast  showed  unto  thy  servant; 
for  with  my  staff  I  passed  over  this  Jordan;  and  now  I  am 
become  two  bands." 

15.  We  have  deserved  no  good  thing,   but  on  account  of  our  many 

sins  what  have  we  deserved?  We  have  deserved  nothing 
but  punishment. 

l(i.     (310)     "Why  must  we  acknowledge  this?"     "Because  we  daily  sin 
much  and  indeed  deserve  nothing  but  punishment." 

17.  What  do  we  here  acknowledge   wilh   regard   to  our  sins?     That 

we  daily  sin  much. 

18.  How  do  we  come  to  a  knowledge  of  our  many  sins?     By  studying 

the  ten  commandments. 

19.  Give   me   a  Scripture   passage  from   which   we   see   that  we  get 

this  knowledge  by  the  law?  Rom.  3,  20.  "By  the  law  is 
the  knowledge  of  sin." 

20.  In    what    three    different    ways    is    actual    sin    committed?       In 

thoughts,  words  and  deeds. 

21.  We  have  not  only   done   what   God   has   forbidden,   but  in   what 

other  way  have  we  sinned?  We  have  failed  to  do  what  God 
has  commanded. 

22.  When  we  confess  our  sins  before  God,  we  should  not  only  think 

of  those  sins  which  we  know,  but  even  of  those  we  do  not 
know,  as  we  see  from  Ps.  19,  12.  "Who  can  understand  his 
errors?  cleanse  thou  me  from  secret  faults." 

23.  Yes,  and  we  should  not  only  confess  our  actual   sins.  Ijut  w^hat 

other  sin?  We  should  also  confess  original  sin.  We  are 
born  sinners. 

24.  But  what  do  we  hope  for  when  we  confess  our  sins  before  God? 

We  hope  for  forgiveness. 

25.  And   we   have   reason   to    Iiope    for   forgiveness,   as    we    see   from 

Ps.  130,  3.  4.  "If  thou,  O  Lord,  shouldest  mark  iniquities,  O 
Lord,  who  shall  stand?  But  there  is  forgiveness  with  thee, 
that  thou   mayest  be  feared." 


294  LESSON  83. 

26.  And   again   Ps.    32,   5.     "I    acknowledged    my   sin    unto   thee,   and 

mine  iniquity  have  I  not  hid.  I  said  I  will  confess  my  trans- 
gression unto  the  Lord;  and  thou  forgavest  the  iniquity  of 
my  sin." 

27.  Read   also   the   passage,   Micah   7,    18.    19.     "Who    is   a    God    like 

unto  thee,  that  pardoneth  iniquity,  and  passeth  by  the  trans- 
gression of  the  remnant  of  his  heritage?  He  retaineth  not 
hjs  anger  forever,  because  he  delighteth  in  mercy.  He  will 
turn  again,  he  will  have  compassion  upon  us;  he  will  subdue 
our  iniquities;  and  thou  wilt  cast  all  their  sins  into  the 
depths  of  the  sea." 

28.  But  how  can  God  forgive  sin  when  he  has  threatened  to  punish 

it?  For  whose  sake  is  he  willing  to  forgive  sin?  For 
Christ's  sake. 

29.  What  did   Christ  do  that   God   should   be   willing  to   forgive   sin 

for  his  sake?     He  suffered  and  died  for  us. 

30.  Yes,  the  punishment  of  our  sins  was  laid  upon  Him.     What  did 

John  the  Baptist  call  .Jesus?  .John  1,  29.  "The  next  day 
John  seeth  Jesus  coming  unto  him  and  saith,  Behold  the 
Lamb  of  God,  which   taketh   away  the  sin   of  the  world." 

31.  Read  also  1  John  2,  1.  2.    "My  little  children,  these  things  I  write 

unto  you,  that  ye  sin  not.  And  If  any  man  sin,  we  have  an 
advocate  with  the  Father,  Jesus  Christ  the  righteous:  and 
He  is  the  propitiation  for  our  sins:  and  not  for  ours  only, 
but  also  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world." 

32.  In  whom   do  we  put  our  confidence  when  we  here  ask   God   to 

forgive  us  our  trespasses  or  sins?  We  put  our  confidence  in 
Jesus  Christ  our  Savior. 

33.  Now  let  us  see  how  God  answers  this  petition.     Which  are  the 

two  chief  doctrines  or  the  Word  of  God?  The  Law  and  the 
Gospel. 

34.  In  the  law  God  threatens  to  punish  sin,  but  what  does  He  offer 

us  in  the  Gospel?     He  offers  us  the  forgiveness  of  sins. 

35.  When   we   hear  the   Gospel   preached,   o!    wh^t   are  we  assured? 

We  are  assured  of  the  forgiveness  of  sins. 

36.  This  Gospel,  or  this  declaration  of  forgiveness,  comes  to  us  not 

only  in  the  public  preaching,  but  in  the  word  of  absolution, 
in  Baptism  and  in  the  Lord's  Supper.  This  is  God's  way 
of  answering  our  prayer  for  the  forgiveness  of  sins.  And 
how  should  we  regard  God's  declaiation  of  forgiveness  when 
we  hear  it  in  the  Gospel?     We  should  believe  it. 

37.  This   fifth  petition  we  might  call  the  most  important  of  all  the 

seven.  And  why  is  the  forgiveness  of  sins  £0  necessary? 
Because  we  can  not  be  saved  without  It. 

38.  Which  attribute  in  God  is  it  that  makes  Him  willing  to  forgive 

sins?     His  mercy. 

39.  For    whose    sake    is    it    possible    that    God    shonld    forgive    sins? 

For  Christ's  sake. 

40.  How  is  this  forgiveness  declared  to  us?     Through  the  Gospel. 

41.  How  should  we  regard  this  declaration  of  forgiveness  when  we 

hear  it?     We  should   believe   it. 

42.  (311)      "Why  do  we  add:  As  we  forgive  those  who  trespass  against 

us?"  "Because  we  can  have  no  faith,  and  therefore  also  no  for- 
giveness of  our  sins,  if  we  do  not  also  heartily  forgive  and 
willingly  do  good  to  those  who  sin  against  us." 


LESSON  83.  296 

43.  What   do    we   here    promise    toward    those    who    sin    against    us? 

We  promise  to  forgive  them. 

44.  And    how    should    we    forgive    them?      We    should    forgive    them 

heartily. 

45.  Yes,  not  only  with  the  lips   but  Irom  the  heart,  lor  so  God  has 

forgiven  us.  And  if  we  so  lorgive,  what  will  we  do  to  those 
who  sin  against  us?     We  will  do  good  to  them. 

46.  And  how  will  we  do  them  good?     We  will  willingly  do  them  good. 

47.  Yes,  it  will  be  a  pleasure  to  do  them  good.     But  suppose  a  man 

is  not  ready  to  forgive,  nor  to  do  good  to  those  who  sin 
against  him,  what  does  that  show  with  reference  to  his 
faith?     It  shows  that  he  has  no  faith. 

48.  Or  at  least  that  his  faith  is  not  of  the  right  kind,  that  it  is  dead. 

This  kind  of  faith  is  described  in  James  2,  17.  "Even  so 
faith,  if  it  hath  not  works,  is  dead,  being  alone." 

49.  Read   also   what  the    Savior   says   of  the   poor   penitent  woman, 

Luke  7,  47.  "Wherefore  I  say  unto  thee,  her  sins  which  are 
many,  are  forgiven;  for  she  loved  much:  but  to  whom  little 
is  forgiven,  the  same  loveth   little." 

50.  Repeat  also   Ps.   119,  32.     "I   will    run  the  way  of  thy  command- 

ments, when  thou  shalt  enlarge  my  heart." 

51.  Read  also  1  John  4,  11  and  19.     "Beloved,  if  God  so  loved  us,  we 

ought  also  to  love  one  another."  "We  love  him  because  he 
first  loved  us." 

52.  Also  1  John  3,  14.     "We  know  that  we  have   passed   from   death 

unto  life,  because  we  love  the  brethren.  He  that  loveth  not 
his  brother  abideth   in  death." 

53.  Where  a  man  is  not  willing  to  forgive,  there  is  no  love  toward 

his  fellow  man,  but  where  there  is  no  love  toward  men  there 
is  no  love  toward  God,  and  where  there  is  no  love  to  God 
there  is  no  faith  and  what  does  our  question  311  say  where 
there  is  no  faith?     There  is  no  forgiveness  of  sins. 

54.  If  we  do  not  forgive  one  another,   God   will  not  forgive  us,  as 

we  see  from  Matt.  5,  23-26.  "if  thou  bring  thy  gift  to  the 
altar,  and  there  rememberest  that  thy  brother  hath  aught 
against  thee;  leave  there  thy  gift  before  the  altar,  and  go 
thy  way;  first  be  reconciled  to  thy  brother,  and  then  come 
and  offer  thy  gift.  Agree  with  thine  adversary  quickly,  while 
thou  art  in  the  way  with  him;  lest  at  any  time  the  adversary 
deliver  thee  to  the  judge,  and  the  judge  deliver  thee  to  the 
officer,  and  thou  be  cast  into  prison.  Verily  I  say  unto  thee, 
thou  shalt  by  no  means  come  out  thence,  till  thou  hast  paid 
the  uttermost  farthing." 

55.  In  Matt.  18,  28-35,  we  have  the  parable  of  the  unmerciful  servant. 

When  he  would  not  forgive  his  fellow-servant  what  did  his 
Lord  do  to  him,  verse  34?  "His  Lord  was  wroth,  and  de- 
livered him  to  the  tormentors,  till  he  should  pay  all  that  was 
due  unto  him." 

56.  Read    also    Luke    6,    36-38.      "Be    ye    therefore    merciful,    as    your 

Father  also  is  merciful.  Judge  not  and  ye  shall  not  be 
judged:  condemn  not  and  ye  shall  not  be  condemned:  for- 
give and  ye  shall  be  forgiven:  Give  and  it  shall  be  given 
unto  you;  good  measure,  pressed  down,  and  shaken  together, 
and  running  over,  shall  men  give  into  your  bosom.  For  with 
the  same  measure  that  ye  mete  withal  it  shall  be  measured 
to  you  again." 


296  LESSON   84. 

LESSON  84.     THE  SIXTH    PETITION. 

(Questions  312-319.) 

1.  (312)     "Which   is   the    sixth    petition?"      "And    lead    us    not    into 

temptation." 

2.  (313)     "What  does  this  mean?"  "God  tempts  no  one;  but  we  pray 

in  this  petition  that  God  would  guard  and  keep  us,  so  that 
the  devil,  the  world,  and  our  flesh  may  not  deceive  us,  nor 
entice  us  into  misbelief,  despair,  and  other  great  shame  and 
vice:  and  though  we  be  assailed  by  them,  that  still  we  may 
finally  prevail,  and   obtain  the  victory," 

3.  Of  what  does  this  petition  treat?     It  treats  of  temptation. 

4.  To   tempt  a   man   means  to   try   him;     to   put  him   to  the  test. 

Temptation  calls  for  decision  on  the  part  of  him  who  is 
tested.  When  our  first  parents  were  tempted  in  the  garden 
of  Eden  they  had  the  choice  between  good  and  evil.  So 
what  does  temptation  ask  of  us?  It  asks  us  to  make  a 
choice  between  good  and  evil. 

5.  (314)     "How    many    kinds    of    temptation    are    there?"      "Two: 

Temptation   unto  good  and  temptation  to  evil." 

6.  When  we  are  tempted  to  good,  what  choice  have  we?     We  have 

the  choice  between  doing  good  and  not  doing  it. 

7.  And  when  we  are  tempted  to  evil,  what  choice  have  we?     We 

have  the  choice  between  doing  evil  and  not  doing  it. 

8.  In   every   case   temptation   implies   a  choice,  and  a   choice  is  a 

matter  of  the  will.  So  when  we  are  tempted,  what  power 
of  the  soul  is  appealed  to?     The  will. 

9.  You  can  not  compel  a  man  to  do  either  good  or  bad.     When  he 

does  either  good  or  bad,  how  does  he  do  it?  He  does  it  of 
his  own  will. 

10.  (315)     "Who  tempts  us  unto  good?"  "God;  for  He  often  tries  our 

faith   in   order  to  strengthen   it." 

11.  That  God  tries,  or  tempts  us  to  do  good,  we  see  from  Ps.  139,  23.24 

"Search  me,  O  God,  and  know  my  heart;  try  me,  and  know 
my  thoughts:  And  see  if  there  be  any  wicked  way  in  me, 
and  lead  me  in  the  way  everlasting." 

12.  Here  the  psalmist  asks  God  to  search  and  try  him,  to  see  if  there 

be  any  wicked  way  in  him.  Read  Isa.  26,  16.  "Lord,  in 
trouble  have  they  visited  thee,  they  poured  out  a  prayer 
when  thy  chastening  was  upon  them." 

13.  So   we   see   that   trouble   drives   us   to   God.     According   to   this 

passage,  when  do  men  pour  out  a  prayer?  When  God's 
chastening   is  upon  them. 

14.  In  Gen.  22,  1,  it  is  expressly  stated  that  God  tempted  Abraham. 

Read  the  passage.  "It  came  to  pass  after  these  things,  that 
God  did  tempt  Abraham,  and  said  unto  him,  Abraham:  and 
he  said.  Behold,  here  I  am." 

15.  What  strange  command  did  God  give  Abraham  with  reference  to 

his  only  son  Isaac?  V.  2.  "He  said,  Take  now  thy  son, 
thine  only  son  Isaac,  whom  thou  lovest,  and  get  thee  into 
the  land  of  Moriah;  and  offer  him  there  for  a  burnt  offering 
upon  one  of  the  mountains  which  I  will  tell  thee  of." 


LESSON   84.  297 

16.  This  was  to  be  a  trial  of  Abraham's  faith,  and  he  stood  the  trial. 

He  was  willing  to  offer  up  his  son  as  a  sacrifice.  This  we 
see  from  the  12th  verse  of  the  same  chapter:  "He  said, 
Lay  not  thine  hand  upon  the  lad,  neither  do  thou  anything 
unto  him;  for  now,  I  Icnow  that  thou  fearest  God,  seeing  thou 
hast  not  withheld  thy  son,  thine  only  son,  from  me." 

17.  Now  let  us  see  from  the  New  Testament  a  case  where  the  Savior 

put  one  of  his  disciples  to  the  test  as  to  his  faith.  Read 
John  6,  5.6.  "When  Jesus  then  lifted  up  his  eyes,  and  saw 
a  great  company  come  unto  him,  he  saith  unto  Philips 
Whence  shall  we  buy  bread,  that  these  may  eat?  And 
this  he  said  to  prove  him:  for  he  himself  knew  what  he 
would  do." 

18.  According    to    question    315,    what    is    God's    intention    when    he 

tempts  or  tries  our  faith?    He  does  It  in  order  to  strengthen  it. 

19.  Why  is   our  right  arm,  as   a  rule,   stronger  than  the  left?     Be- 

cause we  use  it  more. 

20.  Exercise  keeps   our  limbs  healthy  and  strong,   and   so  our  faith 

needs  exei-cise  to  keep  sound  and  well.  Every  time  we  de- 
cide in  favor  of  that  which  is  good,  we  become  stronger 
in  faith  and  love;  in  patience  and  humility.  But  there  is 
not  only  a  temptation  to  good,  but  what  other  temptation? 
Temptation  to  evil. 

21.  (316)     "Who  tempts  us  to  evil?"  "The  devil,  the  world,  and  our 

flesh;  for  they  entice  us  to  sin." 

22.  God  tempts  us  to  good.     He  never  tempts  us  to  evil  as  we  see 

from  James  1,  13.  "Let  no  man  say  when  he  is  tempted,  I 
am  tempted  of  God:  for  God  cannot  be  tempted  with  evil, 
neither  tempteth   he  any  man." 

23.  God  is  perfect  and  holy,  and  He  would  have  us  to  be  as  He  is, 

as  He  says  Lev.  IS),  2.  "Ye  shall  be  holy:  for  I  the  Lord  your 
God   am   holy." 

24.  God  is  holy,  but  who  was  the  first  to  sin?     Satan. 

25.  And  now  that  he  became  a  sinner,  what  does  he  try  to  get  us 

to  do?     He  tries  to  get  us  to  sin. 

26.  How  did  Adam  and  Eve  come  to  sin?     They  were  tempted   by 

the  devil. 

27.  And  the  devil  still  tries  to  deceive  men  into  sin,  as  we  see  from 

1  Peter  5,  8.  "Be  sober,  be  vigilant;  because  your  adversary 
the  devil,  as  a  roaring  lion,  walketh  about,  seeking  whom 
he  may  devour." 

28.  Judas  Iscariot,  one  of  the  Lord's  disciples,  betrayed  his  master. 

How  did  he  come  to  do  this?  Read  John  13,  2.  "Supper 
being  ended,  the  devil  having  now  put  into  the  heart  of  Judas 
Iscariot  Simon's  son,  to  betray  him"  ,  .  . 

29.  How  did  Judas  get  this  wicked   thought?     Satan   put   it  into   his 

heart. 

30.  And  after  he  had  betrayed  his  Master,  Satan  again  tempted  him 

to  believe  that  there  was  no  forgiveness,  no  help  for  him. 
and  what  did  he  do  in  his  despair?  He  went  and  hanged 
himself. 
3L  This  we  see  from  Matt.  27,  3-5.  "Then  Judas,  which  had  be- 
trayed him,  when  he  saw  th^t  he  was  condemned,  repented 
himself,  and  brought  again  the  thirty  pieces  of  silver  to  the 
chief  priests  and  elders,  saying,  I  have  sinned  in  that  I 
have  betrayed  the  innocent  blood.  And  they  said.  What  is 
that  to  us?  see  thou  to  that.  And  he  cast  down  the  pieces 
of  silver  in  the  temple,  and  departed,  and  went  and  hanged 
himself." 


298  LESSON   84. 

32.  Now  read   1   Chron.   21,    1.      "Satan   stood    up   against   Israel,   and 

provoked  David  to  number  Israel." 

33.  David,  out  of  pride,  set  about  to  number  the  people  and  thus  to 

glory  in  his  military  strength.  Who  provoked,  or  tempted 
him  to  do  this?     Satan  did  it. 

34.  According  to  Luther's  explanation  in  the  Catechism,  to  what  does 

the  devil  entice  us?  To  misbelief,  despair,  and  other  great 
shame  and  vice. 

35.  But  according  to  question  316,  who  helps  the  devil  in  this?     The 

world  and  our  flesh. 

36.  By  the   world,   we  here   mean   the   wicked   people   in  the  world. 

When  Satan  tempted  Joseph  to  commit  adultery,  through 
whom  did  he  do  it?     Through  Potiphar's  wicked  wife. 

37.  By  the    world   is   also   meant   the  things   that  are   in  the  world, 

such  as  money,  pleasure,  honor,  etc.  Why  did  Judas  betray 
his  Master?     He  did  it  for  money. 

38.  So  what  did  Satan  use  as  a  means  to  tempt  Judas  to  betray  the 

Lord?     He  used  money. 

39.  So    he    may    use    even    poverty,    sickness,    and    misfortune    as    a 

means  to  tempt  men  to  fall  from  the  faith  into  despair. 
But  especially  does  he  use  wicked  people  to  accomplish  his 
evil  designs,  as  we  see  from  Matt.  18,  7.  "Woe  unto  the 
world  because  of  offences!  for  it  must  needs  be  that  offences 
come;    but  woe  to  that  man  by  whom  the  offence  cometh." 

40.  Peter  denied  his   Master  in  the  palace  of  the  high  priest.     Let 

us  see  from  Matt.  26,  69.70,  how  he  came  to  do  it.  "Now 
Peter  sat  without  in  the  palace;  and  a  damsel  came  unto 
him,  saying,  Thou  also  wast  with  Jesus  of  Galilee.  But  he 
denied  before  them  all,  saying,  I  know  not  what  thou  sayest." 

41.  Whom  did  the  devil  use  as  an  instrument  to  frighten  Peter  into 

this  great  sin?     He  used  a  damsel,  a  woman. 

42.  Read  James  4,  4.     "Ye  adulterers  and  adulteresses,   know  ye   not 

that  the  friendship  of  the  world  is  enmity  with  God?  whoso- 
ever therefore  will  be  a  friend  of  the  world  is  the  enemy 
of  God." 

43.  But  not  only  the  world  is  in  league  with  Satan  in  tempting  us 

to  sin,  but  what  else  does  he  use?     He  uses  our  flesh. 

44.  By  the  flesh  is  meant  our  own  evil  hearts,  for  we  are  conceived 

and  born  in  sin,  and  have  a  natural  inclination  to  wicked- 
ness. Read  in  this  connection  James  1,  14.  "Every  man 
is  tempted,  when  he  is  drawn  away  of  his  own  lust,  and  en- 
ticed." 

45.  (317)     "How    is    it    therefore    to    be    understood,    when    we    say: 

Lead  us  not  into  temptation?"  "We  pray  in  this  petition  that 
God  would  guard  and  keep  us,  so  that  the  devil,  the  world, 
and  our  flesh  may  not  deceive  us,  nor  entice  us  into  misbelief, 
despair,  and   other  great  shame  and  vice." 

46.  We    ask    here    first    that    God    would    guard    and    keep    us    from 

temptation;  that  is.  that  He  would  not  allow  us  to  be 
tempted  above  what  we  are  able  to  bear,  for  if  He  did,  what 
would  be  the  result?  We  would  fall  into  misbelief,  despair 
and  other  great  shame  and  vice. 

47.  (318)     "Can   we   here   on   earth   ever  become  entirely  free  from 

temptation?"  "We  cannot,  and  hence  also  pray:  'Though  we 
be  assailed  by  them,  that  we  may  finally  prevail  and  obtafn 
the  victory.'  " 


f.KSSON   84.  299 

■Is.  \Ve  have  seen  how  iiievitabk'  it  is  lor  us  to  be  tempted.  But 
none  of  us  coukl  ever  stand  in  temptation  by  our  own  power; 
hence,  what  should  we  ask  God  to  do?  We  should  ask  God 
to  guard  and  keep  us  when   we  are  tempted. 

49.  Repeat   1   Peter   5,  8.9.     "Be   sober,   be   vigilant;    because  your  ad- 

versary, the  devil,  as  a  roaring  lion,  walketh  about,  seeking 
whom  he  may  devour.  Whom  resist  steadfast  in  the  faith, 
knowing  that  the  same  afflictions  are  accomplished  in  your 
brethren   that  are   in  the  world." 

50.  When  we  are  tempted,   we  should  flee  to  God  for  help,  but  we 

should  also  faithfully  use  the  means  which  God  gives  us  to 
resist  the  devil,  and  this  is  especially  the  Word  of  God. 
Satan  tempted  our  Lord  in  the  wilderness.  How  did  our 
Savior  meet  him?  Matt.  4,  4.  "But  he  answered  and  said, 
It  is  written,  Man  shall  not  live  by  bread  alone,  but  by  every 
word  that  proceedeth  out  of  the  mouth  of  God." 

51.  And  again  the  7th  verse  of  this  chapter.     "Jesus  said   unto  him, 

It  is  written  again.  Thou  shalt  not  tempt  the  Lord  thy  God." 

52.  And  the  10th  verse.     "Then  saith  Jesus  unto  him,  Get  thee  hence, 

Satan:  for  it  is  written.  Thou  shalt  worship  the  Lord  thy 
God,  and   him   only  shalt  thou  serve." 

53.  Jesus    met    every    temptation    by    a    quotation    from    Scripture. 

God's  word  is  the  best  weapon  to  use  against  temptation. 
Let  us  be  watchful  and  never  imagine  we  are  out  of  danger. 
So  the  Savior  admonishes  us  Matt.  26,  41.  "Watch  and  pray, 
that  ye  enter  not  into  temptation:  the  spirit  indeed  is  willing 
but  the  flesh  is  weak." 

54.  (319)     "How  does  God  therefore  answer  this  our  prayer?"     "By 

keeping  us  through  His  power  and  grace  from  temptation, 
or  by  sustaining  us  when  tempted." 

55.  So  He  answers  this  petition  in  how  many  ways?     He  answers  it 

in  two  ways. 

56.  What  is   the   first?      He   keeps   us  from   temptation. 

57.  What  is  the  second?     He  sustains  us  in  temptation. 

58.  Read  1  Peter  1,  5.     "Who  are  kept  by  the  power  of  God  through 

faith  unto  salvation  ready  to  be  revealed  in  the  last  time." 

59.  Also   1   Cor.    10,    13.      "There   hath    no   temptation    taken    you    but 

such  as  is  common  to  man:  but  God  is  faithful,  who  will 
not  suffer  you  to  be  tempted  above  that  ye  are  able;  but 
will  with  the  temptation  also  make  a  way  to  escape,  that  ye 
may   be  able  to   bear  it." 

60.  Repeat  James  4,  7.     "Resist  the  devil  and  h«  will  flee  from  you." 

61.  Now  let  us  see  how  the  apostle  describes  the  true  Christian  in 

this  spiritual  warfare  of  temptation.  Eph.  6,  10-17.  "Finally, 
my  brethren,  be  strong  in  the  Lord,  and  in  the  power  of  his 
might.  Put  on  the  whole  armour  of  God,  that  ye  may  be 
able  to  stand  against  the  wiles  of  the  devil.  For  we  wrestle 
not  against  flesh  and  blood,  but  against  the  rulers  of  the 
darkness  of  this  world,  against  spiritual  wickedness  in  high 
places.  Wherefore  take  unto  you  the  whole  armour  of  God, 
that  ye  may  be  able  to  withstand  in  the  evil  day,  and  having 
done  all,  to  stand.  Stand  therefore,  having  your  loins  girt 
about  with  truth,  and  having  on  the  breastplate  of  righteous- 
ness; and  your  feet  shod  with  the  preparation  of  the  gospel 
of  peace;  Above  all,  taking  the  shield  of  faith,  wherewith 
we  shall  be  able  to  quench  all  the  fiery  darts  of  the  wicked. 
And  take  the  helmet  of  salvation,  and  the  sword  of  the 
Spirit,  which  is  the  word  of  God." 


300  LESSON    85. 

LESSON   85.     THE   SEVENTH    PETITION. 

(Questions  320-324.) 

1.  (320)     "Which   is   the   seventh   petition?"-  "But  deliver   us  from 

evil." 

2.  (321)     "What  does  this  mean?"    "We  pray  in  this  petition,  as  in 

a  summary,  that  our  Father  in  heaven  would  deliver  us  from 
every  evil  of  body  and  soul,  property  and  honor;  and  finally 
when  our  last  hour  has  come,  grant  us  a  blessed  end,  and 
graciously  take  us  from  this  vale  of  tears  to  Himself  in 
heaven." 

3.  What  is  the  subject  of  this  petition?     It  treats  of  evil. 

4.  (322)     "What  do  we  here  understand  by  evil?"    "Everything  that 

is   harmful   to   us." 

5.  (323)     "What  do  we  therefore  pray  in  this  petition?"  "We  pray  in 

this  petition,  as  in  a  summary,  that  our  Father  in  heaven 
would  deliver  us  from  every  evil  of  body  and  soul,  property 
and    honor." 

6.  Which  petition  is  this  in  the  Lord's  Prayer?     It  is  the  last  pe- 

tition. 

7.  What  does  Luther  in  the  Catechism  call  this  petition?     He  calls 

it  a  summary. 

8.  That  is,   in   this   petition  we  sum   up  everything  that  we  have 

asked  for  in  all  the  others,  whatever  may  be  troubling  us, 
whatever  we  need  for  body  or  soul,  for  time  and  eternity. 
If  we  are  delivered  from  evil,  then  all  our  wants  are  met, 
then  we  are  perfectly  happy.  Now  there  are  various  kinds 
of  evil  which  are  spoken  of  in  Luther's  explanation.  Which 
is  the  first?     Evil  of  body. 

9.  When   the   children   of   Israel  journeyed   through   the  wilderness 

which  bodily  evils  were  they  troubled  with?     They  suffered 

hunger  and  thirst. 
|0.     When   the    multitude   had    remained   with    Jesus    three   days   to 

hear  his  preaching  and  see  his  miracles,  what  were  they  in 

want  of?     They  were  in  want  of  food. 
n.     What  were  the  poor  people  who  flocked  to  the  Savior  for  help 

suffering   from?     They   were   suffering   from    all    manner  of 

diseases. 

12.  Can  you  mention  some  of  these  diseases?     Some  were  sick  with 

the  palsy,  some  had  leprosy,  some  were  blind,  lame,  dumb 
and   some  were   possessed  with  evil   spirits. 

13.  Now  mention  some  of  the  things  which  we  include  among  bodily 

evils.     Hunger,  thirst  and  sickness. 

14.  But  what  other  evils  are   there  besides   those  which   affect  the 

body?     Evils  of  the  soul. 

15.  When  Jacob  was  told  that  an  evil  beast  had  devoured  his  son 

.loseph,  how  did  he  feel  about  it?  It  troubled  him.  He 
grieved  over  it. 

16.  Yes;  his  soul  was  sorrowful,  so  much  so  that  he  thought  it  would 

kill  him.  Can  you  mention  an  instance  from  the  life  of  the 
Savior  where  He  speaks  of  the  sorrow  of  His  soul?  In  the 
Garden  of  Gethsemane.  He  said,  "My  soul  is  exceeding  sor- 
rowful, even  unto  death." 

17.  When  David  heard  of  the  death  of  Absalom,  how  did  he  feel  about 

it?     He  was  very  much  troubled  and  lamented  over  it. 

18.  So  what  do  we  mean  by  evil  that  affects  the  soul?     All  kinds  of 

worry   and   trouble. 


LESSON   85.  301 


19.  What  is  the  third  Ivind  of  evil  Irom  which  we  aslv  to  be  delivered? 

Evil   to  property. 

20.  When  a  man  has  a  house  as  his  property,  how  mij^ht  he  lose  it? 

It  might  burn  down. 

21.  How  did   many   people   in   llic   ?ilianii   Valley  lose  their  property 

last  year?     It  was  destroyed  by  the  flood. 

22.  How  do  many  people  lose  their  money,  jewelry,  or  other  valuable 

property?     It  is  stolen. 

23.  How  do  people  often  lose  their  hogs  and  cattle?    They  die  of  dis- 

ease. 

24.  So  what  evil  things  may  befall  us  as  regards  our  property?     Fire, 

water,  theft,  disease  among  cattle,  and  the  like. 

25.  What  is  the  fourth  kind  of  evil  that  we  ask  to  be  delivered  from? 

Evil  to  our  honor. 

26.  By  honor  wo  here  mean  good  name  and  reputation.     When  the 

wicked  wife  of  Potiphar  accused  Joseph  before  her  husband, 
what  injury  did  she  do  to  him?     She  slandered  him. 

27.  When  .lesus   stood   before   Pilate,   what   false  accusation   did   the 

.Tews  bring  against  Him?    They  said  He  stirred  up  the  people 
and  urged  them  not  to  pay  tribute. 

28.  What  injury  did  they  do  to  the  Savior  by  this  false  accusation? 

They  slandered   Him. 

■29.  And  slander  is  the  worst  kind  of  injury;  for  a  good  name  is  more 
precious  than  money  or  goods.  Now  from  all  this  evil  of 
body  and  soul,  property  and  honor,  we  pray  God  to  deliver 
us.     Repeat  .Job  5,  19. 

"He  shall  deliver  thee  in  six  troubles;   yea,  in  seven  shall  no 
evil   touch  thee." 

?0.  Job,  himself,  is  a  good  example  of  how  men  are  troubled  with 
evil.  What  evil  did  he  suffer  in  his  property?  His  cattle 
were  stolen. 

?>1.  And  what  trou])le  did  he  suffer  in  his  body?  He  was  visited  with 
disease. 

:^2.  And  what  other  sad  affliction  came  over  him?  His  children 
were  killed. 

■Jo.  And  how  did  God  deliver  him  from  such  evils?  He  was  restored 
to  health.  God  gave  him  more  wealth  than  he  had  before, 
and  He  even  blessed  him  with  other  children. 

;s4.  Read  Ps.  91,  14-lG.  "Because  he  hath  set  his  love  upon  me,  there- 
fore will  I  deliver  him:  I  will  set  him  on  high,  because  he 
hath  known  my  name.  He  shall  call  upon  me,  and  I  will  an- 
swer him;  1  will  be  with  him  in  trouble;  I  will  deliver  him, 
and  honour  him.  With  long  life  will  I  satisfy  him,  and  shew 
him  my  salvation." 

.~,5.  So  what  do  we  ask  to  be  delivered  from  in  this  seventh  petition, 
according  to  Luther's  explanation  in  the  Catechism?  From 
every  evil  of  body  and  soul,  property  and  honor. 

S6.  (324)  "What  belongs  to  this  as  last  and  chief  part?"  "That  God 
'finally,  when  our  last  hour  has  come,  grant  us  a  blessed  end, 
and  graciously  take  us  from  this  vale  of  tears  to  Himself  in 
heaven.'  " 

37.     What  hour  is  here  meant  by  "our  last  hour?"    The  hour  of  death. 

•38.  So  long  as  we  are  in  the  world  we  can  not  expect  to  be  entirely 
free  from  evil,  for  what  does  the  Catechism  here  call  this 
world?     A  vale  of  tears. 

39.  Why  is  the  world  here  called  a  vale  of  tears?     Because  there  is 

so  much  weeping  in  it. 

40.  And  what  causes  this  weeping?     All    kinds  of  suffering,  trouble, 

pain  and  death. 


302  LESSON  86. 

41.  What  has  made  the  world  such  a  vale  of  tears?    Sin. 

42.  What  blessed  hope  have  we  in  reference  to  this  vale  of  tears? 

That  God  will  take  us  from  this  vale  of  tears. 

43.  Where  do  we  expect  Him  to  take  us?     To  Himself  in  heaven. 

44.  What  kind  ol  a  place  is  heaven?    A  place  of  happiness. 

45.  What   did   the   Savior   say  to   the   malefactor  on   the  cross,  who 

asked  Him:      "I^ord,  remember  me  when   Thou   comest  into 
Thy  kingdom"?     "This  day  thou   shalt   be  with   me   in   para- 
dise." 
4G.     What  became  of  poor  Lazarus  when  he  died?     He  was  carried  by 
the  angels  into  Abraham's  bosom. 

47.  What  kind  of  end  then  do  we  ask  for  in  this  petition?     We  ask 

for  a  blessed  end. 

48.  Who  alone  can  have  a  blessed  end,  that  is,  die  a  happy  death? 

Only  he  who  dies  in  the  faith  of  Jesus. 
40.     Repeat  Acts   14,   22.     "We    must  through   much  tribulation   enter 
into  the  kingdom  of  God." 

50.  Also  Rom.   7,  24.25.     "O  wretched   man   that   I   am!    who  shall   de- 

liver me  from  the  body  of  this  death?  I  thank  God  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord." 

51.  Also  2  Tim.  4,  18.     "And  the  Lord  shall  deliver  me  from  every  evil 

work,  and  will  preserve  me  unto  his  heavenly  kingdom:  to 
whom  be  glory  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen." 

52.  Read  also  what  aged  Simeon  said.  Luke  2,  29-32.     "Lord,  now  let- 

test  thou  thy  servant  depart  in  peace,  according  to  thy  word: 
For  mine  eyes  have  seen  thy  salvation,  which  thou  hast  pre- 
pared before  the  face  of  all  people;  a  light  to  lighten  the 
Gentiles,  and  the  glory  of  thy  people  Israel." 

53.  Simeon  was  ready  to  die  when  he  had  seen  the  Savior.     So  we, 

when  we  believe  on  Him,  are  happy  at  the  thought  that  we 
shall  at  last  see  Him  and  be  with  Him  in  whom  we  believe 
and  whom  we  love.     And  when  will  this  be?     When  we  die. 


LESSON   86.     THE   CONCLUSION. 

(Questions  325-332.) 

1.  How  do  we  divide  the  Lord's  Prayer?     Into  three  parts:  the  intro- 

duction, the  seven  petitions,  and  the  conclusion. 

2.  (325)      "What  is  the  conclusion?"  "For  thine  is  the  kingdom,  and 

the  power,  and  the  glory  forever  and  ever.     Amen." 

3.  (326)     "What  is  the  meaning  of  this  conclusion?"    "We  therein 

express  our  confident  assurance  that  our  Father  in  heaven  can 
and  will   hear  our  prayer." 

4.  If  God   is   to  hear  and  answer  our  prayers,  He  must  have  both 

the  power  and  the  willingness  to  do  so.  What  do  we  say 
in  this  conclusion  about  God's  power?  We  say,  "Thine  is 
the  power." 

5.  What  power  has  God?     God  has  all  power. 

6.  What  do  we  call  God  because  He  has  all  power?     We  call   Him 

almighty. 

7.  And  because  He  is  almighty,  what  is  He  able  to  do  in  reference 

to  our  prayers?     He  is  able  to  answer  them. 

8.  Let  us  remember  this,  children,  we  can  never  ask  anything  which 

is  more  than  God  can  give.  But  in  order  to  hear  and  answer 
our  prayers,  what  else  must  there  be  on  the  part  of  God  be- 
sides power?    There  must  also  be  willingness. 


LESSON  86.  303 

9.     What  is  the  very  first  thing  which  we  say  of  Gkxl   in   this  con- 
clnsion?     We  say,  "Thine  is  the  kingdom." 

10.  What  is  the  kingdom  of  God  here  on  earth?     The  church   is  the 

kingdom   of  God. 

11.  And  who  is  King  in  this  Idngdom  of  God,  the  Christian  church? 

Jesus  Christ  is  King. 

12.  How  are  we  made  members  of  this  spiritual  kingdom?     By  faith. 

13.  What  may  subjects  expect  from  their  King?     They   may  expect 

protection  and  help. 

14.  Because  we  are  His   dear  children,  and   He  is  our  dear  Father. 

how  is  God  disposed  toward  us?  He  is  kindly  disposed  to- 
ward us. 

15.  Yes,  and   that  means   that  He   has   the   willingness  to   hear  and 

answer  our  prayers. 
Ifi.     (327)     "In  what  word  is  all  this  briefly  comprehended?"  "In  the 
single  word,  Amen.'  " 

17.  (328)      "What  does  Amen  mean?"  "That  I  should  be  certain,  these 

our  petitions  are  acceptable  to  our  Father  in  heaven  and 
heard  by  Him;  for  He  Himself  has  commanded  us  so  to  pray 
and  has  promised  to  hear  us.  Amen,  Amen,  that  is,  yea,  yea, 
it  shall  be  so." 

18.  What  accordingly  should  I  be  certain  of?     That  these,  our  peti- 

tions, are  acceptable  to  our  Father  in  heaven  and  heard  by 
Him. 

19.  In  question  328,  there  are  two  reasons  given  for  this.     Which  is 

the  first?     He  Himself  has  commanded  us  so  to  pray. 

20.  Who  taught  us  the  Lord's  Prayer?     The  Lord  Jesus  Himself. 

21.  These  are  the  very  things  which  God  our  heavenly  Father  through 

Christ  told  us  to  ask  for.  If  we  had  simply  ourselves  thought 
of  these  things,  we  might  be'  in  doubt  as  to  whether  God  is 
willing  to  give  them,  but  why  is  there  no  room  now  for  any 
such  doubt?  Because  He  Himself  taught  us  to  ask  for  these 
things. 

22.  Yes.     He  certainly  would  not  tell  us  to  aslv  for  things  which  He 

does  not  intend  to  give  us.  But  in  question  328  there  is  an- 
other reason  given  why  these  our  petitions  are  acceptable 
to  our  Father  in  heaven  and  heard  by  Him;  what  is  it?  Be- 
cause He  has  promised  to  hear  us. 

23.  When  God  promises  a  thing,  why  can  we  depend  on  it?     Because 

He  is  truthful.     He  never  tells  a  lie. 

24.  Can    you    repeat    a    Scripture    passage    in    which    this    is    clearly 

stated?     Heb.  6,  18.     "it  is  impossible  for  God  to  lie." 

25.  (329)     "Why  do  you  accordingly  conclude  the  Lord's  Prayer  with 

the  word  Amen?"     "That  I  should  be  certain  these  our  peti- 
tions  are  acceptable   to   our   Father   in   heaven   and   heard   by 
Him." 
20.     Tin-n  to  2  Cor.  1,  20,  and  read  it.     "All  the  promises  of  God  in  him 
are  yea,  and  in  him  Amen,  unto  the  glory  of  God  by  us." 

27.  What  are  we  to  be  certain  of?     That  these  our  petitions  are  ac- 

ceptable to  God  our  Father  in   heaven  and   heard   by  Him. 

28.  (330)     "How   can    we    have   this   assurance?"    "God    Himself   has 

commanded  us  so  to  pray,  and   has  promised  to   hear  us." 

29.  Turn  to  Matt.  0,  9,  and  let  us  see  how  God,  through  Cnrist,  com- 

mands us  tlius  to  j)ray.  "After  this  manner  therefore  pray 
ye,  Our  Father  which  art  in   heaven.   Hallowed  be  thy  name." 

30.  Also    Luke   11,   2.      "He   said    unto   them.   When   ye    pray,   say.    Our 

Father  which  art  in  heaven.  Hallowed  be  thy  name.  Thy 
kingdom  come.     Thy  will  be  done,  as  in  heaven,  so  in  earth." 


304  LESSON  86. 

31.  Now   let  us   also  hear  some  of  the   promises  with   reference  to 

prayer.  Read  .John  10,  23,  the  second  sentence.  "Verily, 
verily,  I  say  unto  you,  Whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  the  Father  in 
my  name:   He  will  give  it  you." 

32.  Also  Ps.  50,  15.    "Call  upon  me  in  the  day  of  trouble:  I  will  deliver 

thee,  and  thou  shalt  glorify  me." 

33.  Also  John  14,  13.     "Whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  in  my  name,  that  will 

I  do,  that  the  Father  may  be  glorified   in  the  Son." 

34.  (331)     ''Does  God  always  hear  believing  prayer?"    "Yes,   but  ac- 

cording to   His  wisdom  and   in   His  own   good  time." 

35.  What  kind  of  prayer  does  God  hear?     He  hears  believing  prayer. 

36.  That  is,  He  hears  pi'ayer  that  is  offered  in  true  faith.     This  we 

see  from  Mark  11,  24.  "What  things  soever  ye  desire,  when 
ye  pray,  believe  that  ye  receive  them,  and  ye  shall  have 
them." 

37.  According  to  the  answer  to  question  331,  how  does  God  answer 

our  prayer?  According  to  His  wisdom  and  in  His  own  good 
time. 

38.  God  knows   better   than   we   do  what  is  for  our  good.     Children 

often  ask  their  parents  for  things  that  are  not  good  for  them. 
In  this  case,  what  would  a  father  or  mother  do?  They  would 
not  give  their  children  what  is  not  good  for  them. 

39.  And   so  God   does  with   us.     If  we   ask  for  something  that  God 

knows  is  not  for  our  good,  v  He  does  not  give  us  this,  but 
something  else  that  is  for  our  good.  So  in  all  our  petitions 
we  should  submit  to  God's  will,  as  we  see  from  1  John  5,  14. 
"This  is  the  confidence  that  we  have  in  him,  that,  if  we  ask 
anything  according  to  his  will,  he  heareth  us." 

40.  Now   let   us   hear   some   of  the    ])recious   promises   that   God    has 

given  concerning  prayer.  Read  Isa.  65,  24.  "It  shall  come 
to  pass,  that  before  they  call,  I  will  answer;  and  while  they 
are  yet  speaking,  I   will   hear." 

41.  Again  Matt.  18,  19.     "If  two  of  you  shall  agree  on  earth  as  touch- 

ing anything  that  they  shall  ask,  it  shall  be  done  for  them  of 
my  Father  which   is  in   heaven." 

42.  Again   Ps.   145,  18.  19.     "The   Lord   is  nigh   unto  all  them  that  call 

upon  him,  to  all  that  call  upon  him  in  truth.  He  will  fulfil 
the  desire  of  them  that  fear  him:  he  also  will  hear  their  cry, 
and^will  save  them." 

43.  Read  also  James  5,   16-18.     "Confess  your  faults  one  to  another, 

and  pray  one  for  another,  that  ye  may  be  healed.  The  ef- 
fectual fervent  prayer  of  a  righteous  man  availeth  much. 
Elias  was  a  man  subject  to  like  passions  as  we  are,  and  he 
prayed  earnestly  that  it  might  not  rain:  and  it  rained  not  on 
the  earth  by  the  space  of  three  years  and  six  months.  And 
he  prayed  again,  and  the  heavens  gave  rain,  and  the  earth 
brought  forth  her  fruit." 

44.  In  the  case  of  the  Apostle  Paul  we  see  how  God  sometimes  does 

not  give  exactly  that  which  His  children  ask  for.  Read  2 
Cor.  12,  7.8.  "Lest  I  should  be  exalted  above  measure  through 
the  abundance  of  the  revelations,  there  was  given  to  me  a 
thorn  in  the  flesh,  the  messenger  of  Satan  to  buffet  me,  lest 
I  should  be  exalted  above  measure.  For  this  thing  I  besought 
the  Lord  thrice,  that  it  might  depart  from  me." 

45.  God  sent  upon  the  apostle  some  special  affliction  which  troubled 

him  a  great  deal.  He  asked  God  to  take  away  this  affliction, 
hut  instead  of  taking  it  away  from  him,  what  answer  did 
God  give  the  apostle?  Verse  9,  the  first  sentence.  "He  said 
unto  me,  'My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee:  for  my  strength  is 
made  perfect  in  weakness.'  " 


LESSON  87.  305 

46.  God  hears  our  prayers  not  only  according  to  His  own  wisdom, 

but  what  other  condition  does  question  331  mention?  In  his 
own  good  time. 

47.  At  the  marriage  of  Cana  the  mother  of  Jesus  called  His  atten- 

tion to  the  fact  that  they  lacked  wine,  expecting,  of  course, 
that  He  would  help  at  once.  But  what  answer  did  Jesus 
give?  John  2,  4.  "Jesus  said  unto  lier,  'Woman  what  have  I 
to  do  with  thee?  mine  hour  is  not  yet  come.'" 

48.  When  the  Syrophoenician  woman  came  to  Jesus,  asking  that  He 

should  heal  her  poor  daughter  who  was  vexed  with  a  devil, 
did  the  Savior  answer  her  at  once?  (Matt.  15,  21-28).  No. 
He  made  her  wait. 

49.  (332)     "Why  does  God  often  long  delay  His  help?"    "In  order  to 

exercise  and  strengthen  us  in  the  Word  and  faith,  in  patience 
and    in    hope." 

50.  So  God  has  a  purpose  in  making  us  wait  for  the  answer  to  our 

pi-ayer.  What  is  this  purpose?  He  wants  to  exercise  and 
strengthen  us  in   His  Word  and  faith,  in   patience  and   hope. 

51.  And  when  we  are  made  to  wait,  we  should  do  just  as  the  poor 

woman  mentioned  above  did,  what  was  that?  She  kept  right 
on  praying. 

52.  This  we  see  from  Rom.   12,   12.     "Rejoicing   in    hope;    patient   In 

tribulation;  continuing  instant  in  prayer." 

53.  Now  read  Lament.  3,  26,  31-33.     "It  is  good  that  a  man  should  both 

hope  and  quietly  wait  for  the  salvation  of  the  Lord.  For  the 
Lord  will  not  cast  off  forever.  But  though  he  cause  grief, 
yet  will  he  have  compassion  according  to  the  multitude  of 
his  mercies.  For  he  doth  not  afflict  willingly  nor  grieve  the 
children  of  men." 

54.  Read  also  Isa.   54,   7.   8.     "For  a   small    moment   have    I   forsaken 

thee;  but  with  great  mercies  will  I  gather  thee.  In  a  little 
wrath  I  hid  my  face  from  thee  for  a  moment;  but  with  ever- 
lasting kindness  will  I  have  mercy  on  thee,  saith  the  Lord 
thy  Redeemer." 

55.  Also  John  5,  17-19.     "Behold,  happy  is  the  man  whom  God  correct- 

eth:  therefore  despise  not  thou  the  chastening  of  the  Al- 
mighty: For  he  maketh  sore,  and  bindeth  up:  he  woundeth, 
and  his  hands  make  whole.  He  shall  deliver  thee  in  six 
troubles:   yea,  in  seven  there  shall  no  evil  touch  thee." 


LESSON  87.     THE  SACRAMENTS  IN  GENERAL. 

(Questions  333-339.) 

1.  (333)     "What  is  the  fourth  chief  part  of  the  Catechism?"     "The 

sacrament  of  Holy  Baptism." 

2.  According  to  this  answer,  what  is  Baptism?     Baptism  is  a  sacra- 

ment. 

3.  (334)     "What  is  a  sacrament"?   "A  sacrament  is  a  holy  rite  insti- 

tuted   by    Christ    Himself,    whereby    with    visible    means    the 
treasures  of  the  Gospel  are  offered,  given  and  sealed  to  us." 

4.  A  rite  is  an  act.     What  kind  of  act  is  a  sacrament?    A  sacrament 

is  a  holy  act. 

5.  The  word  sacrament  already  indicates  this.     What  adjective  does 

this  word  remind  you  of?     The  adjective  sacred. 

6.  What  kind  of  thing  is  a  sacred  thing?     It  is  a  holy  thing. 
20 


3(D6  LESSON  87. 

7.  Yes,  not  something  common  and  ordinary,  but  something  extra- 

ordinary and  special.  By  whom  were  these  holy  rites,  or 
acts,  instituted?    They  were  instituted  by  Christ  Himself. 

8.  They  are,   then,   not   human,   but  of  what  origin?     They   are   of 

divine  origin. 

9.  How  should  we  regard  anything  that  Christ  has  given  us?     We 

should  regard  it  as  holy,  as  important. 

10.  What  is  offered,  given  and  sealed  to  us  by  the  sacraments?     The 

treasures  of  the  Gospel. 

11.  What  is  a  treasure?     A  treasure  is  something  valuable. 

12.  Mention  some  valuable  things  which  you  would  regard  as  treas- 

ures.    Money,  diamonds,  jewelry. 

13.  Yes;    how  are  these  things  regarded  among  men?     They  are   re- 

garded as  valuable,  precious. 

14.  And  yet  there  are  things  more  valuable  than  money  or  jewels. 

What  kind  of  treasures  are  offered,  given  and  sealed  to  us  in 
the  sacraments?     The  treasures  of  the  Gospel. 

15.  What  is  the  Gospel?     (Question  137.)     The  Gospel  is  the  glad  tid- 

ings that  Jesus  Christ  has  saved  us  from  our  sins,  and 
through  faith  makes  us  forever  blessed. 

16.  Concerning    whom    does    the    Gospel    tell    us?      It    tells    us    con- 

cerning Christ. 

17.  What    does    it    tell    us    concerning   Christ?      It   tells    us    that    He 

saved  us  from   our  sins. 

18.  Now,  what  Is  God  willing  to  do  with  our  sins,  since  Christ  died 

for  us?     He   is  willing  to  forgive  them. 

19.  Children,  this  forgiveness  of  sins  is  one  of  the  treasures  of  the 

Gospel.  Why  should  we  regard  the  forgiveness  of  sins  as  a 
treasure?  Because  it  is  something  very  valuable,  very 
precious. 

20.  Now  tell  me.  again  from  question  137:    What  else  does  the  Gospel 

do?     Through  faith    it  makes  us  forever  blessed. 

21.  Yes,  eternal  happiness,  everlasting  life,  is  one  of  the  treasures 

of  the  Gospel.  And  why  should  we  regard  everlasting  life 
as  a  treasure?     Because  it  is  something  very  precious. 

22.  Forgiveness  of  sins  and  everlasting  life  are  the  treasures  offered, 

given  and  sealed  to  us  in  the  sacraments.  But  when  God 
deals  with  us  He  uses  certain  means  or  instruments.  How 
does  He  preserve  our  bodily  life?  Through  food,  drink  and 
clothing. 

23.  How    does    He    restore    our    bodily    health    when    we    are    sick? 

Through   medicine. 

24.  So  God  uses  means  when  He  wants  to  give  us  spiritual  blessings. 

What  kind  of  means  does  He  make  use  of  in  the  'sacra- 
ments?    He  makes  use  of  visible  means. 

25.  What  is  a  visible  thing?     Something  that  we  can  see. 

26.  You  have  seen  me  baptize  a  child  in  church.     What  is  the  out- 

ward, or  visible,  thing  in  Baptism?     Water. 

27.  What  are  the  outward,  or  visible,  things  in  the  other  sacrament 

of  the  New  Testament,  the  Lord's  Supper?     Bread  and  wine. 

28.  What  does  God  offer,  give  and  seal  to  us  by  these  visible  means 

in  the  sacraments?     The  treasures  of  the  Gospel. 

29.  Repeat  Tit.  3,  5.     "Not  by  works  of  righteousness  which  we  have 

done,  but  according  to  his  mercy  he  saved  us,  through  the 
washing   of   regeneration    and    renewing   of  the    Holy   Ghost." 

30.  How  has  God  saved  us  according  to  this  passage?     By  the  wash- 

ing of  regeneration, 


LESSON  87.  307 


il.  That  is.  by  Baptism;  for  in  Baptism  God  offers  and  gives  us 
the  forgiveness  of  sins  and  eternal  life.  But  He  not  only 
offers  and  gives  us  these  things  in  the  sacraments,  but  what 
else  does  He  do?     He  seals  them. 

.'^2.  A  seal  is  an  outward  sign,  by  which  a  thing  is  marked  as 
genuine.  Repeat  Rom.  4,  11.  "He  received  the  sign  of  cir- 
cumcision, a  seal  of  the  righteousness  of  the  faith  which 
he  had  yet  being  uncircumcised:  that  he  might  be  the 
father  of  all  them  that  believe,  though  they  be  not  circum- 
cised, that   righteousness  might   be   imputed   unto  them." 

33.  God  made  a  covenant  with  Abraham,  and  what  did  he  give  him 

as  a  sign  of  this  covenant?  He  gave  him  the  sign  of  cir- 
cumcision. 

34.  So    God    gives    us    the    sacraments   as    outward   marks,    or    seals, 

of  the  fact  that  He  has  forgiven  our  sins,  that  He  is  our 
dear  Father,  and  that  He  will  at  last  take  us  to  Himself 
in  heaven.  iNTo  deed  nor  any  valuable  document  is  considered 
genuine  or  valid  until  the  one  who  gives  it  fixes  his  seal 
upon  it.  What  are  the  visible  signs,  or  seals,  which  God 
adds  to  his  promise  of  grace  and  eternal  life?  The  sacra- 
ments. 

35.  Repeat  1  Job.  .5,  S.     "For  there  are  three  who   bear  witness,  the 

Spirit,  and  the  water,  and  the  blood:  and  these  three  agree 
in    one." 

36.  God  has  three  ways  of  dealing  with  us  here  on  earth.     Through 

the  Word  of  God,  which  was  given  by  his  spirit,  through 
water  in  Baptism,  and  through  blood  in  Communion.  Where 
does  He  deal  with  us  through  water?     In    Baptism. 

37.  And  again  He  deals  with  us  through  blood,  that  is,  in  the  Holy 

Communion.  What  are  Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper? 
They  are  sacraments. 

38.  (335)     "What  makes  it  a  sacrament?"    "That  it  be  administered 

in  accordance  with  the  institution  of  Christ." 

39.  How  must  the  sacraments  be  administered  or  used?     According 

to   the    institution   of   Christ. 

40.  We  must  add  nothing  to,   and  take   nothing  from,   these  sacred 

acts;  but  leave  them  just  as  Christ  gave  them  to  us.  And 
when  we  use  them  just  as  Christ  gave  them  to  us,  what  are 
they?     Then  they  are  sacraments. 

41.  (336)     "Does   faith  also  belong  to  this?"     "Faith   belongs  not  to 

the  essence,  but  to  the  salutary  use,  of  a  sacrament." 
42.~  Our   faitli    does   not   make   or   unmake    the    sacrament.     When    1 
offer  to  a  l;eggar  a  dollar,  and  he  refuses  to  take  it  because 
he  thinks  it  counterfeit,  does  his  thinking  so  make  the  dol- 
lar counterfeit?     No,  it  does  not. 

43.  Our  faith  or  unbelief  does  not  add  anything  to,  nor  take  anything 

from,  the  sacraments.  But  in  what  sense  does  faith  belong 
to  the  sacraments?     It  belongs  to  their  salutary  use. 

44.  When   the   tramp   refuses    to   take   my   dollar,   because   he   thinks 

it  counterfeit,  what  effect  has  his  unbelief?  It  deprives  him 
of  the  gift. 

45.  What  is  necessary  on  our  part  if  we  would   have  the  blessings 

of  the  sacraments?     We   must   have  faith. 

46.  Repeat    Rom.    3,    3.      "What    if    some    were    without    faith?    shall 

their   unbelief   make   the  faith   of   God   without  effect?" 

47.  Read  also  Mark  16,  18.     "He  that  believeth  and  is  baptized  shall 

be  saved;    but  he  that  believeth  not  shall  be  damned." 

48.  (337)     "How  many  kinds  of  sacrament  are  there?"    "Two:  sacra- 

ments of  the  Old  and  sacraments  of  the   New  Testament." 


308  LESSON  88. 

49.  (338)     "Which  were  the  sacraments  of  the  Old  Testament?"    "Cir- 

cumcision and  the  Paschal    Lamb,  or  Passover." 

50.  Read   Gen.    17,   10.     "This    is   my   covenant,   which   ye   shall    keep, 

between  me  and  you  and  thy  seed  after  thee;  every  man 
child  among  you  shall   be  circumcised." 

51.  In    Exodus   12,   we   have  a   description   of  the   institution   of   the 

passover.  What  great  event  in  the  history  of  Israel  did  this 
sacrament  celebrate?  The  deliverance  from  the  bondage 
of  .Egypt. 

52.  Read  Heb.  10,  1.     "For  the   law  having  a  shadow   of  good  things 

to  come,  and  not  the  very  image  of  the  things,  can  never 
with  those  sacrifices  which  they  offered  year  by  year  con- 
tinually make  the  comers  thereunto   perfect." 

53.  In    the    Old    Testament,    these    sacraments    prefigured    the    bless- 

ings which  are  so  richly  bestowed  on  us  in  the  New.  Read 
Col.  2,  11.  12.  "In  whom  also  ye  are  circumcised  with  the 
circumcision  made  without  hands,  in  putting  off  the  body  of 
the  sins  of  the  flesh  by  the  circumcision  of  Christ.  Buried 
with  him  in  baptism,  wherein  also  ye  are  risen  with  him 
through  the  faith  of  the  operation  of  God,  who  hath  raised 
him  from  the  dead." 

54.  Read  also  1   Cor.   5,  7.     "Purge  out  therefore  the  old  leaven,  that 

ye  may  be  a  new  lump,  as  ye  are  unleavened.  For  even 
Christ  our   passover   is   sacrificed   for   us." 

55.  (339)     "Which    are    the    sacraments    of    the    new    Testament?" 

"Holy   Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper." 

56.  How  many  sacraments  were  there  in  the  Old  Testament?     Two. 

57.  And  how  many  are  there  in  the  New?     Also  two. 

58.  The  Roman  Catholic  church  teaches  that  there  are  seven  sacra- 

ments: baptism,  confirmation,  penance,  marriage,  ordination 
to  the  priesthood,  holy  communion  and  extreme  unction. 
Which  of  these  are  really  sacraments?  Baptism  and  Holy 
Communion. 


LESSON   88.      WHAT    IS   BAPTISM? 
(Questions  340-347.) 

1.  Of   what  does  the  fourth  chief  i)art  of  the  Catechism   treat?     It 

treats  of  Holy  Baptism. 

2.  (340)      "What  is  Baptism?"    "Baptism  is  not  simply  water,  but  it 

is    the    water    comprehended    in    God's    Command    and    con- 
nected with   God's   Word." 

3.  With  what  do  we  baptize?     We  baptize  with  water. 

4.  What    then    is    the    outward    visible    element    in    Baptism?  It    is 

water. 

5.  But  is  Baptism  simply  water?     No,  it  is  not  simply  water. 

G.  (341)  "Why  is  Baptism  not  simply  water?"  "Because  it  is  the 
water  comprehended  in  God's  Command  and  connected  with 
God's  Word." 

7.  So  what  is  found  in  connection  with  the  water  of  Baptism?    The 

command  and   Word   of  God. 

8.  (342)     "How  manifold  is  the  Word  of  God  connected  with  Bap- 

tism?"    "Twofold:    the   word   of  command,  and   the  word  of 
promise." 

9.  So  what  word  are  we  to  consider  first?     The  word  of  command. 


LESSON 


309 


10 


C.'Ai)  "Which  is  the  word  ol"  command?"  "That  which  Christ, 
our  Lord,  speaks  in  the  last  chapter  of  Matthew:  Go  ye  and 
teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the  name  of  the  Father, 
and   of  the   Son,   and   of  the    Holy   Ghost." 

11.     (:!4n     "Who,  according  to  this,  is  the  author  of  Holy  Baptism. 
"Our   Lord   Jesus   Christ." 

12  Who  gave  this  command:  "Go  ye  and  teach  all  nations,  baptiz- 
ing them  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son  and  oi 
the  Holy  Ghost?"     Jesus  Christ,  our  Savior. 

13.  Where  is  this  command  recorded?     In   the   last  chapter  of   Mat- 

thew. 

14.  What  great  man  was  the  forerunner  of  Christ?     John  the  Baptist. 

15.  Why  was  he  called  "the  Baptist?"     Because  he  baptized. 

Ifi.  Read  Luke  3,  2.  :'..  "The  Word  of  God  came  unto  John  the  son 
of  Zacharias  in  the  wilderness.  And  he  came  into  all  the 
country  about  Jordan,  preaching  the  baptism  of  repentance 
for  the  remission  of  sins." 

17  .John  preached  and  baptized,  telling  people  to  prepare  for  the 
coming  of  Christ  by  true  repentance.  When  the  Savior 
came,  He  commanded  all  nations  to  be  baptized  m  the 
name  of  the  triune  God.  To  whom  did  He  give  this  com- 
mand?    To  his  apostles.  . 

18.  (345)     "Who  is  to  administer  Baptism?"    "As  a   rule  the  rightly 

called  ministers  of  the  Church." 

19.  The  Savior  gave  this  command  to  his  apostles,  but  of  course  it 

was   not  to   be   confined   to   them   personally.     Who   was    to 
preach  and  baptize  after  them?    The  ministers  of  the  Gospel. 

20.  Our  answer  34.5  says,  "As  a  rule  the  rightly  called  ministers  of 

the  church."     What  does  this  expression  "as  a  rule"  imply? 
It  implies  that  there  are  exceptions  to  this  rule. 

21.  Yes,  there  are  circumstances   in  which  other   Christians   besides 

'  ministers  of  the  Gospel  might  baptize.  When  might  this 
be  allowed?  In  case  of  necessity,  when  a  child  is  in  danger 
of  death,  and  no  minister  can  be  obtained. 

But  the  rule  is  that  only  ministers  should  baptize,  for  they  are 
called  for  this  purpose.  Repeat  what  the  apostle  says  1  Cor. 
4,  1.  "Let  a  man  so  account  of  us,  as  of  the  ministers  of 
Christ,  and  stewards  of  the  mysteries  of  God." 

Read  1  Peter  2,  9.  "But  ye  are  a  chosen  generation,  a  royal 
priesthood,  an  holy  nation,  a  peculiar  people;  that  ye  should 
shew  forth  the  praises  of  him  who  hath  called  you  out  of 
darkness   into  his   marvellous   light." 

All  Christians  are  kings  and  priests  unto  God.  and  have  a  right 
to  the  means  of  grace;  but,  as  a  matter  of  order,  only  those 
should  publicly  administer  these  means  who  are  rightly 
called  to  do  so.  In  Exodus  4,  25,  we  read  that  Zipporah,  the 
wife  of  Moses,  circumcised  her  son.  So,  in  case  of  ne- 
cessity, who  may  administer  Baptism?     Any  Christian. 

Yes,  the  father,  or  the  grandfather  of  the  child,  or  any  Christian 
present.  There  is  a  form  for  such  an  emergency  baptism 
given  in  the  appendix  to  our  hymn  book.  But  to  whom 
should  such  an  emergency  baptism  be  reported?  it  should 
be  reported  to  the  minister. 

Yes,  in  order  that  he  may  examine  and  see  whether  the  child 
'  has  been  properly  baptized,  and.  if  so,  may  record  such 
baptism  in  the  church  records.  Should  he  baptize  such  a 
child  over  again?     No,  he  should  not.  .    ,  ,  ^ 

(346)  "What  constitutes  Baptism?"  "That  a  person  be  sprinkled 
with,  or  immersed  in,  water  in  the  name  of  the  Father, 
and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost." 


22 


23 


24 


25. 


26. 


27. 


310  LESSON  88. 

28.  What  are  we  to  use  in  Baptism?     We  are  to  use  water, 

29.  What  kind  of  water  must  be  used?     Any  kind  of  water. 

30.  In  what  outward  manner  is  the  water  to  be  applied?     The  per- 

son may  be  sprinkled  with  water  or  immersed  in  it. 

31.  The  Baptist  sects  insist  that  immersion  is  the  only  proper  mode 

of  Baptism.  But  they  are  mistaken  '  in  this.  The  word 
"Baptize"  means  any  application  of  water,  whether  it  be 
washing,  pouring,  sprinkling,  or  immersion,  as  we  see  from 
Mark  7,  4.  "And  when  they  come  from  the  market,  except 
they  wash,  they  eat  not.  And  many  other  things  there  be, 
which  they  have  received  to  hold,  as  the  washing  of  cups, 
and  pots,  brasen  vessels,  and  of  tables." 

32.  Here  the  word  "baptize"  is  used  for  washing.     Read  Acts  22,  16. 

"And  now  why  tarriest  thou?  arise,  and  be  baptized,  and 
wash  away  thy  sins,  calling  on  the   name  of  the   Lord." 

33.  Here  Baptism  is  spoken  of  as  a  washing.     Read  also  Heb.  10,  22. 

"Let  us  draw  near  with  a  true  heart  in  full  assurance  of 
faith,  having  our  hearts  sprinkled  from  an  evil  conscience, 
and  our  bodies  washed  with  pure  water." 

34.  Here    the    word    "Baptize"    is    used    for    sprinkling.      Read    also 

Tit.  3,  5.  G.  "Not  by  works  of  righteousness  which  we  have 
done,  but  according  to  his  mercy  he  saved  us,  by  the  wash- 
ing of  regeneration,  and  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost;  which 
he  shed  on  us  abundantly  through  Jesus  Christ,  our  Savior." 
3.5.  Here  also  Baptism  is  called  a  washing.  Read  also  Ezek.  36,  25. 
"Then  will  I  sprinkle  clean  water  upon  you,  and  ye  shall 
be  clean:  from  all  your  filthiness,  and  from  all  your  idols, 
will   I  cleanse  you." 

36.  Here  the  word  "baptize"  is  used  for  sprinkling.     Baptize  means 

any  application  of  water.  In  whose  name  is  the  water  to 
be  applied  in  Baptism?  In  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of 
the  Son,  and  of  the   Holy  Ghost. 

37.  (347)     "What  does  it  mean  to  baptize  in  the  name  of  the  Father, 

and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost?"  "It  means,  by  Bap- 
tism to  bring  a  person  into  blessed  communion  with  the 
Triune  God." 

38.  In  whose  name  are  we  to  be  baptized?     In  the  name  of  the  tri- 

une God. 

39.  When   we  are  baptized  in  the  name  of  the  triune  God,  we  are 

brought  into  communion  with  Him.  Let  us  look  at  this  word 
"communion."  By  omitting  the  first  syllable,  what  word  is 
formed?     The  word  "union." 

40.  With  whom  are  we  united  by  baptism?     We  are  united  with  God. 

41.  Yes,   we   are   brought   to   Him.   and   made    His.      By   our   natural 

birth  we  are  not  in  communion  with  God,  lor  how  are  we 
conceived  and  born?     We  are  conceived  and  born   in  sin. 

42.  And  how  are  we  brought  into  communion  with  God?     Through 

baptism. 

43.  What  kind   of  communion   is    this   called?     Question   347.      It    is 

called   a   blessed   communion. 

44.  Yes,  because  when  we  are  brought  to  God  and  made  His  own. 

He  blesses  us,  and  we  are  happy.  In  the  third  article  of 
the  creed,  what  do  we  confess  concerning  this  communion? 
I  believe  in  the  Holy  Christian  Church,  the  communion  of 
saints. 

45.  The  Church  is  the  communion  of  saints.     To  be  a  member  of  the 

Church  is  to  be  in  communion  with  God  and  all  believers. 
And  how  are  we  brought  into  this  communion?  Through 
Baptism. 


LESSON    89.  311 

46.  Since   when,    then,    are   you    children    members    of   the   Church? 

Since  we  were  baptized. 

47.  Repeat   Gal.   3,   26.    27.     "For  ye   are   all    the   children   of  God   by 

faith    in    Christ   Jesus.      For  as    many   of   you    as   have    been 
baptized    into   Christ   have   put   on   Christ." 

48.  What  is  here  said  of  our  baptism?     We  are  baptized  into  Christ. 

49.  And   what  is   said    is   the   result  of   baptism?     Those   of   us   who 

have  been  baptized   into  Christ  have  put  on  Christ. 

50.  And  having  put  on   Christ   by  faith  in   Baptism,   whose   children 

are  we?     We  are  all  the  children  of  God. 


LESSON  89.     WHO  SHOULD  BE  BAPTIZED? 

(Questions  348-349.) 

1.  (348)     "Who  should  be  baptized?"    "All  men  that  are  not  already 

baptized:  adults  unto  the  sealing  of  their  faith,  after  they 
have  learned  to  know  their  Savior;  children,  that  faith  be 
kindled    in   them." 

2.  What  is  the  subject  of  this  question?     Who  should  be  baptized? 

3.  This  answer  tells  us  to  whom  the  sacrament  of  baptism  is  to  be 

administered.  When  the  Savior  gave  his  disciples  com- 
mand to  baptize,  whom  did  He  say  they  should  baptize? 
All   nations. 

4.  How  is  this  expressed  in  the  first  two  words  of  our  answer  348? 

All   men. 

5.  What  is  added  to  these  two  words  by  way  of  explanation?     All 

men   that  are   not  already   baptized. 

6.  Accordingly,  how  often  is   baptism  to  be  administered  to  a  per- 

son?    Only  once. 

7.  What    two    kinds    of    persons    are    mentioned    in    our    question? 

Adults  and  children. 

8.  Whom  do  you  mean  by  adults?     Grown   people. 

9.  For  what  purpose  are  adults  to  be  baptized?     Unto  the  sealing 

of  their  faith. 

10.  When  grown  people  that  have  not  been  baptized  in  their  infancy 

are  to  be  baptized,  they  should  first  have  faith  and  confess 
it.  When  they  hear  the  word  of  God  and  believe  it,  what 
object  is  there  in  baptizing  them;  what  effect  is  their  bap- 
tism to  have?     It  seals  their  faith. 

11.  To  seal  a  thing  is  to  confirm  it;    to  strengthen  and  establish  it. 

What  does  our  answer  further  say  of  adults  besides  that 
they  are  to  be  baptized  unto  the  sealing  of  their  faith? 
This  is  to  be  done  after  they  learn  to  know  their  Savior. 

12.  How  may  they  learn  to  know  their  Savior?    Where  has  the  Savior 

revealed  Himself  unto  us?     In  His  Word,  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

13.  And   whom    may  men   learn   to   know   by   hearing  this   Word,   or 

reading  it?     They  may   learn  to   know  their  Savior. 

14.  Yes,  and  to  believe  on  Him.     And   when   such  people  are  after- 

ward baptized,  what  effect  has  Baptism  on  their  faith?  It 
strengthens  and  confirms  it. 

15.  But   what   other   people   are   mentioned   in   question    348,   besides 

adults,  or  grown  people?     Children. 
16.-     What   is    here    said   about   children?      They    should    be    baptized, 
that  faith   may  be  kindled   in  them. 


312  LESSON    89. 

17.  In  his  ba,ptismal  command  the  Savior  says:  "Go  ye  and  make 
disciples  of  all  nations  by  baptizing  them  in  the  name  of 
the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost."  Ac- 
cordingly, how  are  men  to  be  made  disciples  of  the  Savior? 
By   baptizing  them. 

IS.  What  effect  is  Baptism  to  have  on  children,  according  to  our 
question  348?     Through  it  faith  is  to  be  kindled  in  children. 

19.  Repeat  Matt.  28,  19.    "Go  ye  and  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them 

in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy 
Ghost." 

20.  Read  also  Isa.  54.  10.     "The  mountains  shall  depart,  and  the  hills 

be  removed;  but  my  kindness  shall  not  depart  from  thee, 
neither  shall  the  covenant  of  my  peace  be  rejnoved,  saith 
the  Lord  that  hath  mercy  on  thee." 

21.  The  covenant  of  God's  peace  is  to  be  firmer  even  than  the  hills 

and  mountains.  Where  does  God  make  this  covenant  with 
us?     In  Baptism. 

22.  Read  2  Tim.  2,  13.     "If  we  believe   not,  yet  he  abideth  faithful: 

he  cannot  deny   himself." 

23.  God  never  breaks  his  part  of  the  baptismal  covenant,  even  if  we 

do.  So  there  is  no  need  of  a  new  covenant.  We  only  need 
to  return  in  true  repentance  to  the  covenant  which  we  have 
broken  by  sin.  And  if  we  return,  what  does  this  passage 
say  we  shall  find  with  reference  to  God?  That  He  is  faith- 
ful;    that   He  cannot  deny   Himself. 

24.  So  there  is  no  need  of  a  new  covenant,  another  Baptism;   but  if 

we  have  departed  from  the  covenant  and  broken  it,  what  is 
necessary  on  our  part?  That  we  return  to  it.  That  we  re- 
pent and  come  back  to  God. 

25.  (349)     "How  do  we  prove  that  children  are  also  to  be  baptized? 

What  is  the  first  proof  offered?"  "Christ  commanded  to 
baptize  all  nations,  and  to  these  also  belong  the  children." 

26.  It  is   true,   Christ  nowhere  commanded   to  baptize   children,   but 

did  He  anywhere  command  to  baptize  women?  No,  He 
did  not. 

27.  Did  He  anywhere  command  to  baptize  men?     No,  he  did  not. 

28.  But    what    did    He    command?      He    commanded    to    baptize    all 

nations. 

29.  And    of   what    is   a    nation    composed?      It    is    composed    of   men, 

women   and   children. 

30.  What  is  the   second   proof  offered   lor   the   Baptism   of  children? 

"Children  also  must  be  regenerated,  if  they  are  to  be  saved." 

31.  What  does   the   Savior   say  .John   3.   5.   6.     "Verily,   verily,    I    say 

unto  thee,  except  a  man  be  born  of  water  and  of  the  Spirit, 
he  cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God.  That  which  is 
born  of  the  flesh  is  flesh;  and  that  which  is  born  of  the 
Spirit    is  spirit." 

32.  What  does  the   Savior  here   say  must  be   done   if  a  man  is  to 

enter  into  the  Kingdom  of  God,  that  is,  if  he  is  to  be  saved? 
He  must  be  born  again. 

33.  By  his  natural  birth  he  is  not  fit  for  the  kingdom  of  God.     And 

this  applies  to  our  children.  What  is  their  natural  condition 
from  a  moral  and  spiritual  point  of  view?     They  are  sinners. 

34.  What  sin  do  little  children  bring  with  them  when  they  are  born? 

Original  sin. 

35.  On  this  account  they  have  need  of  being  born  again.     And  how 

is  this  brought  about?  What  does  St.  Paul  call  Baptism? 
Tit.  3,  5.   He  calls  it  the  washing  of  regeneration. 


36 


37 


LESSON   89.  313 

So  children  need  Baptism  in  order  thut  they  may  be  born  again. 
Repeat  Heb.  11,  6.  "Without  faith  it  is  impossible  to  please 
him:  for  he  that  cometh  to  God  must  believe  that  he  is,  and 
that  he  is  a  rewarder  of  them  that  diligently  seek  him." 

Without  faith  our  children  cannot  be  pleasing  to  God.  But  how 
is  faith  kindled  in  children?     Through  Baptism. 

38.  What   is   the   third   reason   here   given    why   children   should   be 

baptized?      "Christ    explicitly    commanded    that    we    should 
suffer  the  little  children  to  come  unto  Him." 

39.  Let  us  hear  what  the  Lord  .Jesus  says,  Mark  10,  14.     "Suffer  the 

little  children  to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not,  for  of 
such   is  the  kingdom  of  God." 

40.  How  can  we  bring  little  children  to  the  Savior?     When  we  have 

them  baptized. 
41  But  some  people  ask:  What  good  will  it  do  to  baptize  little  chil- 
dren; they  can  not  believe.  But  what  does  the  Savior  say 
Matt.  18,  6?  "But  whoso  shall  offend  one  of  these  little  ones 
which  believe  in  me,  it  were  better  for  him  that  a  mill- 
stone were  hanged  about  his  neck,  and  that  he  were  drowned 
in  the  depth  of  the  sea." 

42.  Here  the  Savior  speaks  of  little  ones  that  believe  on  Him.     So 

little  children  can  have  faith,  and  can  enjoy  the  benefits 
of  Baptism.  What  is  the  fourth  reason  here  given  why 
children  should  be  baptized?  "In  the  New  Testament,  Bap- 
tism  has  taken  the  place  of  Old  Testament  circumcision." 

43.  Read  Col.  2,  11.  12.     "In  whom  also  ye  are  circumcised  with  the 

circumcision  made  without  hands,  in  putting  off  the  body 
of  the  sins  of  the  flesh  by  the  circumcision  of  Christ.  Buried 
with  him  in  Baptism,  wherein  also  ye  are  risen  with  him 
through  the  faith  of  the  operation  of  God,  who  hath  raised 
him  from  the  dead." 

44.  So  Baptism  takes  the  place  of  which  Old  Testatment  sacrament? 

it  taketh  the  place  of  circumcision. 

45.  Read  Gen.  17,  12.     "He  that  is  eight  days  old  shall  be  circumcised 

among  you,  every  man  child  in  your  generations  he  that  is 
born  in  the  house,  or  bought  with  money  of  any  stranger 
which  is  not  of  thy  seed." 

4G.     How  old  were  children  when  they  were  circumcised  in  the  Old 
Testament?     They  were  eight  days  old. 

47  If  then  in  the  Old  Testament  children  were  taken  into  the  church 
at  the  age  of  eight  days,  what  may  we  conclude  with  refer- 
ence to  children  in  the  New  Testament?  They  also  should 
be  received  into  the  church. 
And  how  may  Ihey  l)e  recoived  into  the  church?  Through  Bap- 
tism. 
What  is  the  filth  reason  given  for  the  Baptism  of  Children? 
"The  Apostles  baptized  entire  families,  assuredly  then  also 
children." 

50.  Let  us   see   some   examples   of  this.     Read   Acts   16.   If).     "When 

she  was  baptized  and  her  household,  she  besought  us,  saying, 
If  ye  have  judged  me  to  be  faithful  to  the  Lord,  come  into 
my  house,  and  abide  there.     And  she  constrained  us." 

51.  This  was  the  family  of  Lydia,  who  lived  in  the  city  of  Philippi. 

Now  let  us  see  another  example  which  took  place  in  this 
same  city.  It  is  recorded  in  the  :53rd  verse  of  the  same 
chapter.  "He  took  them  the  same  hour  of  the  night,  and 
washed  their  stripes;  and  was  baptized,  he  and  all  his, 
straightway." 


48. 
49. 


3l4  LESSON    90. 


52.  This  was  the  jailor  at  Philippi.     Now  read  1  Cor.  1,  16.     "I  bap- 

tized also  the   household  of  Stephanas:    besides  I    know  not 
whether  I  baptized  any  other." 

53.  From    these    examples    we    see   that    it   was    the    custom    of   the 

Apostles  to  baptize   whole  families,   and  whom   did  this   in- 
clude?    It  included  the  children. 

54.  What  should  we  therefore  also  do?     We  should  baptize  children. 


LESSON   90.     SPONSORS  AND  CONFIRMATION. 

(Question  350.) 

1.  We  have  seen  that  children  should  be  baptized.     But  they  can- 

not come  to  Baptism  themselves.  What  do  we  call  those 
persons  who  bring  a  child  to  Baptism?  We  call  them 
sponsors. 

2.  What  else  are  they  sometimes  called  in  view   of  the  fact  that 

they  stand  in  the  place  of  parents  before  God?  They  are 
called  God-parents. 

3.  (350)     "What  then  have  sponsors  to  do  in  connection  with  Bap- 

tism?" "They  are  to  be  witnesses  of  the  Baptism,  confess  the 
faith  in  the  name  of  the  infant,  and  help  to  care  for  its 
Christian  training." 

4.  What  is    the   first   thing   that   sponsors   have   to   do?     They   are 

to  be  witnesses  of  the  Baptism. 

5.  Who  can  testily  that  you  were  baptized?     My  sponsors. 

6.  Why   are   they   able   to   testily    to  your   Baptism?      Because   they 

were  present  when   I  was  baptized. 

7.  Baptism  is  a  very  important  act.     And  all  important  acts  should 

be  pertormed  in  the  presence  of  witnesses.  So  the  Savior 
Himself  says,  Matt.  18,  16.  "That  in  the  mouth  of  two  or 
three  witnesses  every  word  may  be  established." 

8.  How   many   witnesses   does   the    Savior   here   mention?     Two   or 

three. 

9.  Repeat  1   Cor.   14,  40.     "Let  all   things  be   done   decently  and   in 

orderV 

10.  So    important    a    thing    as    Baptism    should    be    done    with    due 

solemnity,  and  there  should  be  witnesses.  There  should  be 
decency,  and  order  among  us  in  all  things,  and  especially 
in  so  sacred  a  thing  as  Baptism.  What  else  have  sponsors 
to  do  besides  witness  the  Baptism?  They  are  to  confess 
the  faith   in  the   name  of  the   infant. 

11.  Why  does  a  child  at  its  Baptism  need  some  one  to  answer  for  it? 

Because    it  cannot   answer  for   itself. 

12.  And  who  answers  for  the  child  at  its  Baptism?     The  sponsors. 

13.  When   a  person   is   to   be    baptized   he  is   asked  to   renounce,  or 

give  up,  the  service  of  the  devil  and  all  his  works  and  all 
his  ways.  An  infant  cannot  make  such  a  renunciation  for 
itself;    so  who  answers  in  its  name?     Its  sponsors. 

14.  But  when  a  person  is  baptized  he  is  to  make  confession  of  his 

faith  in  the  triune  God.  An  infant  cannot  make  such  con- 
fession, so  who  is  to  make  the  confession  for  it?  Its 
sponsors. 

15.  When  a  person  is  baptized  he  is  to  promise  to  serve  God  by  a 

truly  godly  and  Christian  life.  An  infant  cannot  make  such 
a  promise,  so  who  is  to  speak  in  its  name?     its  sponsors. 


LESSON    90.  315 

16.  There    is    a    similar    arrangement    in    our    civil    courts.      When 

orphan  children  are  dealt  with,  who  represents  them  in 
court?     Their  guardians. 

17.  The  guardians  represent  a  minor  child  before  the  law,  and  how 

are  the  answers  and  promises  of  the  guardian  regarded? 
They  are  regarded  as  valid  and   binding. 

18.  So  how  should  the  answers  and  promises  of  the  sponsors  in  Bap- 

tism be  regarded?  They  should  be  regarded  as  valid  and 
binding. 

19.  What  is   the  third   thing  which   sponsors   are  required   to   do   in 

connection  with  the  Baptism  of  a  child?  They  are  to  care 
for   its   Christian   training. 

20.  Who  is   first   of   all   responsible   for  the   Christian   training   of  a 

child?     Its  parents. 

21.  But  should   the   parents   die,  or  neglect  their  duty  in   regard   to 

the  Christian  training  of  a  child,  upon  whom  does  this  duty 
then  fall?     Upon  the  sponsors. 

22.  So  you  see  that  sponsors  assume  a  solemn  duty.     What  kind  of 

persons  then  should  be  chosen  as  sponsors?  Honest,  re- 
liable, Christian  persons. 

23.  Yes,    people    who    themselves    have   the    faith    that   they   confess 

for  the  child,  and  who  can  be  relied  on  to  fulfill  the  solemn 
promise  which  they  make  at  the  Baptism  of  the  child.  What 
did  your  sponsors  solemnly  renounce  in  your  name  at  your 
Baptism?  They  renounced  the  devil  and  all  his  works  and 
ways. 

24.  What  faith  did  they  in  your  name  confess?     They  confessed  the 

Christian  faith. 

25.  What  kind  of  life  did  they  promise  that  you  should  lead?     They 

promised  that  I  should  lead  a  Christian  life. 

26.  Are  you  satisfied  with  this  confession  and   promise   which  your 

sponsors  made  in  your  name?     Yes,  I  am  satisfied  with  it. 

27.  Your  parents  have  taught  you  the   five  chief  parts  of  Christian 

doctrine.  Or  if  they  did  not  do  this  themselves,  where  did 
they  send  you  that  you  might  learn  God's  Word?  They 
sent  me  to  Sunday-school. 

28.  And  to  whom  else  did  they  send  you  in  order  that  you  might 

get  a  more  thorough  training  in  the  chief  parts  of  Christian 
doctrine?     They  sent  me  to  the  pastor  for  instruction. 

29.  After  you   have   for   months   or   years    received    this    instruction, 

the  time  comes  for  you  in  your  own  person  to  assume  the 
solemn  obligations  which  your  sponsors  in  your  name  took 
at  your  Baptism.    When  is  this?    At  my  confirmation. 

30.  The  word   "confirm"  is   composed   of  what  two   syllables?     The 

syllables  "con"  and  "firm." 

31.  What  does  the  word  "firm"  mean?     It  means  fast,  fixed,  or  sure. 

32.  What  then  does  the  word  "confirm"  mean?     It  means  to  fix;   to 

make  sure,  or  firm. 

33.  Confirmation   is   the  solemn   renewal   of   the   baptismal   covenant 

on  our  part,  after  you  have  been  taught  the  Word  of  God 
and  have  learned  to  know  the  Savior  in  whose  name  you 
were  baptized.  After  you  have  been  instructed  in  the  faith 
in  which  you  were  baptized,  after  you  have  been  made  ac- 
quainted with  the  solemn  obligations  your  baptism  places 
upon  you,  you  are  now  to  answer  for  yourselves  the  qu(^s- 
tions  which  your  sponsors  answered  for  you.  In  view  of  all 
this,  confirmation  is  what  kind  of  a  rite,  or  ceremony?  It  i§ 
a   very   solemn    and    important   one. 


316  LESSON    90. 

34.  Yes,   although    confirmation    is   not   a  sacrament,   as   the   papists 

teach,  it  has  been  retained  in  our  Lutheran  church  for 
very  good  reasons.  It  is  not  commanded  of  God  like  Bap- 
tism and  the  Lord's  Supper,  and  yet  it  is  a  very  good  and 
useful  custom.  What  does  it  forcibly  remind  you  children 
of?     It  reminds  us  of  our  Baptism. 

35.  It  also  gives  you  an  occasion  to  'do  what  imblicly?     It  gives  us 

an   occasion   to  confess  our  faith   publicly. 

36.  What  does   the   Savior  say   about  such   public   confession  before 

men?  Matt.  10,  32.  "Whosoever  therefore  shall  confess  me 
before  men,  him  will  I  confess  also  before  my  Father  which 
is   in   heaven." 

37.  Yes,  and  gladly  should  you  make  use  of  such  opportunity.     You 

are  to  make  the  same  promises  that  were  made  for  you 
at  your  Baptism.  What  is  the  first  promise?  If  you  have 
listened  attentively  at  the  Baptism  of  any  child,  you  will 
know.  We  promise  to  renounce  the  devil  and  all  his  works 
and  ways. 

38.  By  nature  you  were  in  the  kingdom  and  under  the  power  of  the 

devil.  How  do  you  now  stand  to  your  former  master? 
I   renounce  his  service. 

39.  Yes,  you  say,  I  will  no  longer  serve  him.     You  also  renounce  the 

works  and  ways  of  the  devil.  What  are  the  works  and  ways 
of  the  devil?     Sin  and  wickedness. 

40.  You  renounce,  that  is,  give  up  sin.     You  say,  I  will  not  sin.     But 

in  whom  do  you  confess  to  believe?  I  confess  to  believe  in 
the  triune  God. 

41.  Who  is  the  triune  God  in   whom   you  believe?     God   the   Father, 

Son  and   Holy  Ghost. 

42.  Yes,   God   the   Father   who  created    you   and   preserves   you,   God 

the  Son  who  died  for  you  and  redeemed  you  from  sin,  and 
God  the  Holy  Ghost  who  regenerated  you  and  made  you  a 
child  of  God.  In  this  God  you  profess  to  believe.  Tell  me 
in  what  relation  you  will  stand  toward  this  God,  using  the 
words  in  which  the  Catechism  explains  the  first  command- 
ment.    I  will  fear,  love  and  trust  in  God  above  all  things. 

43.  And  to  do  this  you  must  be  a  Christian,  a  member  of  the  Chris- 

tian Church.  You  cannot  be  faithful  to  God  without  being 
faitlTful  to  His  Church.  Among  all  visible  churches  which 
do  we  believe  is  the  true  church?  The  Evangelical  Lu- 
theran Church. 

44.  And  because  you  believe  this  and  are  convinced  of  it.  what  do 

you  promise  with  reference  to  the  Lutheran  Church?  I 
promise  to  be  and  remain  a  member  of  the  Evangelical  Lu- 
theran Church. 

45.  How   long   do   you    promise   to   remain   faithful  to   the  Lord   and 

His  true  visible  Church?     Until  death. 

46.  Is  it  right  for  you  to  make  such  a  promise?    Yes,  it  is. 

47.  It  is  right,  because  you  are  not  doing  it  blindly.     The  Lutheran 

,  Church  does  not  ask  people  to  take  this  obligation  ignorantly. 
What  has  been  done  with  you  before  you  are  asked  to  make 
this  solemn  promise?  We  have  been  instructed. 
4S.  Our  Lutheran  Church  would  have  its  members  to  act  intelligently. 
It  first  gives  instruction,  and  then  wants  people  to  act  from 
conviction  when  they  come  into  her  fold.  And  this  I  hope 
j^ou  all  do  or  did  at  your  confirmation.  Your  confirmation 
vow  should  be  free  and  from  conviction.  Then  and  only 
then   will  God  look  upon  it  with  favor. 


LESSON   91.  317 


LESSON   91.      WHAT    DOES   BAPTISM   GIVE  OR    PROFIT? 

(Questions  351-357.) 

1.  The    first   question    of   tlie    Catecliism    concerning    Baptism    was: 

"What  is  Baptism?"  We  now  come  to  the  consideration  of 
the  second  important  question  concerning  tliis  holy  sacra- 
ment. What  is  this  second  important  question?  What  does 
Baptism  give  or  profit? 

2.  It  is  important  for  us  to  know   what  Baptism  is,  but  what  is  of 

equal  importance?  For  us  to  know  what  the  benefits  of 
Baptism  are. 

3.  (351)      "What  does  Baptism  give  or  profit?"    "It  works  forgiveness 

of  sins,  delivers  from  death  and  the  devil,  and  gives  ever- 
lasting salvation  to  all  who  believe  it,  as  the  words  and 
promises   of   God    declare." 

4.  (352)      "Which    are   such    words    and    promises   of   God?"     "Those 

which  Christ,  our  Lord,  speaks  In  the  last  chapter  of  Mark: 
'He  that  belleveth  and  is  baptized  shall  be  saved;  but  he  that 
believeth  not,  shall  be  damned.'" 

5.  Now  tell  me  from  question  351.  what  is  the  first  benefit  or  l^less- 

ing  of  Baptism?     It  works  forgiveness  of  sins. 

6.  (353)     "What    is    therefore    the    benefit    of    Holy    Baptism?"     "It 

works  forgiveness  of  sins  by  conferring  upon  us  the  right- 
eousness of  God." 

7.  Why  is  the  forgiveness  of  sins  necessary?     Because  we  can  not 

be  saved  without  it. 

8.  If   sin   is   not  forgiven,   what   will   be   done   with   it?      It   will    be 

punished. 

9.  What  is  the  punishment  of  sin?     Death  and  damnation. 

10.  What  does  the   Savior  say  about  Baptism   in  the  passage  which 

you  repeated  in  connection  with  question  352?  He  says, 
"He  that  believeth  and   is  baptized  shall   be  saved." 

11.  If  Baptism  saves  us,  what  effect  must  it  have  on  sin?     It   must 

work  the  forgiveness  of  sin. 

12.  Who   was   it  that  secured   the  forgiveness   of  sins   for  us?     Our 

Savior  Jesus  Christ, 

13.  How   did  .Jesus   secure  the   forgiveness   of  sins  for  us?      By    his 

sufferings  and  death. 

14.  This    is   told   us   in   ([uestion    354.     How    does   Baptism   work   the 

forgiveness  of  sins?  By  conferring  upon  us  the  righteous- 
ness of  Christ. 

15.  The  righteousness  of   Christ  here  means   everything  that  Christ 

did  for  us.  He  fulfilled  the  law  for  us  and  gave  Himself 
a  sacrifice  for  our  sins.  He  is  righteous  before  God,  but  all 
this  not  for  Himself,  but  for  whom?     For  us. 

111.  Through  Baptism  we  put  on  Christ.  That  is.  His  merit  covers 
our  sins,  as  a  man  covers  his  nakedness  by  putting  on  a 
garment.  This  we  see  from  Gal.  3,  2<1.  27.  "Ye  are  all  the 
children  of  God  by  faith  in  Christ  Jesus.  For  as  many  of 
you   as  have   been   baptized   into  Christ  have  put  on   Christ." 

17.  On  the  great  day  of  Pentecost,  when  Peter  had  preached  Ihat 
powerful  sermon  to  the  ihultilude,  and  the  men  asked  him. 
"Men  and  bretliren,  what  shall  we  do?"  They  meant,  "What 
shall  we  do  to  b(>  saved?"  And  what  did  Peter  answer? 
Acts  2,  38.  "Repent,  and  be  baptized  every  one  of  you  for 
the  remission  of  sins,  and  ye  shall  receive  the  gift  of  the 
Holy  Ghost." 


318  LESSON   91. 

18.  Why  were  they  to  be  baptized?     For  the   remission  of  sins. 

19.  Here  we  have  just  what  the  Catechism   says:      "Baptism  works 

the  forgiveness  of  sins."  In  Acts  22  St.  Paul  tells  the  story 
of  his  own  conversion.  After  he  had  been  overcome  by  the 
heavenly  vision  on  the  way  to  Damascus,  God  sent  him  to 
a  -disciple  by  the  name  of  Ananias.  -And  now  repeat  what 
Ananias  said  to  Paul.  Verse  16.  "Now  why  tarriest  thou? 
arise,  and  be  baptized,  and  wash  away  thy  sins,  calling  on 
the  name  of  the   Lord." 

20.  "Why  was  Paul  to  be  baptized?     That  his  sins  might  be  washed 

away. 

21.  What  does  that  mean?     That  his  sins  might  be  forgiven. 

22.  Read  also  the  prophecy  written  in  Zechariah  i;^  1.     "In  that  day 

there  shall  be  a  fountain  opened  to  the  house  of  David  and 
to  the  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem  for  sin  and  for  uncleanness." 

23.  This  fountain  for  the  washing  away  of  sin  is  Baptism,  for  in  it 

what  is  done  with  sin?     It  is  washed  away  or  forgiven. 

24.  (354)     "What  is  the  blessed  consequence  of  this?"    "That  death 

and  the  devil  no  more  can  harm  us,  and  that  eternal  life  by 
faith    is   certain   to    us." 

25.  According  to  question  351,  what  is  the  second  effect  of  Baptism? 

It  delivers  from  death  and  the  devil. 

26.  How  did  men   come   to   die,   since   they  were   created   free   from 

death?     They  sinned. 

27.  So  what  is  the  cause  of  both  temporal  and  eternal  death?     Sin. 

28.  And  if  you  want  to  remove  an  effect  you  must  remove  the  cause. 

So  if  we  would  be  delivered  from  death,  what  must  be  done 
with  sin?     It  must  be   removed. 

29.  And  how  is  it  removed?     When  it  is  forgiven. 

30.  And  how  is  this  forgiveness  brought  to  and  given  us?     Through 

Baptism. 

31.  What  is  the  only  thing  that  makes  us  fear  death?     Sin. 

32.  But  if  sin  is  forgiven,  we  need  not  fear  death.     To  a  baptized 

Christian,  death  is  not  terrible,  for  its  sting,  sin,  has  been 
removed.  Through  death  his  soul  enters  heaven,  and  what 
will  become  of  his  dead  body  at  the  end  of  time?  It  will 
rise~again  to  new  life. 

33.  How   can    the   Christian    who    is    baptized    into    Christ    therefore 

say  with  St.  Paul,  1  Cor.  15,  54-57?  "Death  is  swallowed  up 
in  victory. 

O  death,  where  is  thy  sting?  O  grave,  where  is  thy  victory? 
The  sting  of  death  is  sin;  and  the  strength  of  sin  is  the  law. 
But  thanks  be  to  God,  which  giveth  us  the  victory  through 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

34.  But   Baptism    delivers    us    not    only    from    death,    but    from    what 

else  does  it  deliver  us?     It  delivers  us  from  the  devil. 

35.  How  did  man  come  under  the  power  of  the  devil?    Through  sin. 

36.  Whom  do  we  serve  when  we  willingly  commit   sin?     We   serve 

the  devil. 

37.  Sin   is   the    chain   with    which    the   devil    binds    us.      Now    if   we 

would  be  free  from  the  devil,  what  must  be  done  with  this 
chain?     It  must  be  broken. 

38.  And  this  chain  is  l)roken  when  sin  is  forgiven.     But  liow  is  sin 

forgiven?     Through   baptism. 


LESSON    91. 


3l9 


;!!».  A  l)ai)tized  Christian  is  no  longer  under  the  power  of  Satan. 
He  has  renounced  the  devil  and  all  his  works  and  ways.  He 
is  a  free  child  of  God.  This  deliverance  is  beautifully  de- 
scribed in  Col.  1,  12-14.  "Giving  thanks  unto  the  Father, 
which  hath  made  us  meet  to  be  partakers  of  the  inheritance 
of  the  saints  in  light:  Who  hath  delivered  us  from  the 
power  of  darkness,  and  hath  translated  us  into  the  kingdom 
of  his  dear  Son:  In  whom  we  have  redemption  through  his 
blood,  even   the  forgiveness  of  sins." 

40.  Now  read  also  1  .Tohn  4,  4.     "Ye  are  of  God,  little  children,  and 

have  overcome  them:  because  greater  is  he  that  is  in  you, 
than   he  that   is   in  the  world." 

41.  And  again,   1    .John  5,  4.     "For  whatsoever   is  born   of  God   over- 

cometh  the  world:  and  this  is  the  victory  that  overcometh 
the  world,  even  our  faith." 

42.  According  to  question  351,  what  is  the  third  great  thing  which 

Baptism  does?     It  gives  everlasting  life. 

43.  Or,  as  we  have  it  in  the  second  half  of  question  3.54.     "Eternal 

life  by  faith   is  certain  to  us." 

44.  What  is  the  only  thing  that  can  keep  us  out  of  heaven?     Sin. 

45.  What  must  be  done  with  sin  if  we  would  enter  heaven?  It  must 

be  forgiven. 
4C.     And  how  is  this  forgiveness  brought  to  and  given  us?     Through 
Baptism. 

47.  By  being  baptized  into  Christ  we  are  made  the  children  of  God 

and  heirs  of  eternal  life,  as  we  see  from  Gal.  3,  26.  27.  "For 
ye  are  all  the  children  of  God  by  faith  in  Christ  Jesus.  For 
as  many  of  you  as  have  been  baptized  into  Christ  have  put 
on  Christ." 

48.  The  same  we  see  from  Rom.  8,  16.  17.     "We  are  the  children  of 

God,  and  if  children,  then  heirs;  heirs  of  God,  and  joint- 
heirs  with  Christ,  if  so  be  that  we  suffer  with  him,  that  we 
may   be   also   glorified   together." 

49.  And   again.  Tit.  3,  5.     "Not   by  works  of   righteousness  which   we 

have  done,  but  according  to  his  mercy  he  saved  us,  by  the 
washing   of  regeneration,   and   renewing   of  the   Holy   Ghost." 

50.  Noah  was  saved  in  the  ark.     The  waters  carried  him  safely  until 

the  tiood  was  over.  This  is  used  as  a  figure  of  the  saving 
power  of  Baptism  in  1  Peter  3,  20.  21.  "Which  sometime 
were  disobedient,  when  once  the  longsuffering  of  God  waited 
in  the  days  of  Noah,  while  the  ark  was  a  preparing,  wherein 
few,  that  is,  eight  souls  were  saved  by  water.  The  like 
figure  whereunto  even  Baptism  doth  also  now  save  us  (not 
the  putting  away  of  the  filth  of  the  flesh,  but  the  answer  of 
a  gpod  conscience  toward  God)  by  the  resurrection  of 
Jesus  Christ." 

51.  In  Baptism  God  makes  a  covenant  with  his  children  that  he  will 

be  their  God  and  Father  in  time  and  eternity.  Repeat  Isa. 
54,  10.  "For  the  mountains  shall  depart,  and  the  hills  be 
removed;  but  my  kindness  shall  not  depart  from  thee, 
neither  shall  the  covenant  of  my  peace  be  removed,  saith  the 
Lord  that  hath   mercy  on  thee." 

52.  (355)     "Who   has   this   benefit  of   Holy   Baptism?"    "All    who    be- 

lieve in  it." 

53.  So  what  is  necessary   on   our   part  in  order  that   we  may   have 

and  enjoy  these  great  benefits  of  Baptism?  Faith  is  neces- 
sary. 

54.  (356)     "With   what   words    does    our   Lord   Jesus    Christ    Himsell 

say  this?"  "With  these:  He  that  believeth  and  is  baptized 
shall  be  saved;   but  he  that  believeth  not.  shall  be  damned." 


320  LESSON  92. 

55.  (357)  "Why  is  it  not  said:  'lie  tliat  believeth  not,  and  is  not 
baptized  shall  be  damned?'"  "Because  a  person  can  also 
obtain  faith,  and  be  saved  by  the  Word  alone  if  only  Baptisnn 
be  not  despised." 


LESSON   92.     HOW  CAN   WATER   DO   SUCH   GREAT  THINGS? 

(Questions  358-364.) 

1.  Which  question  concerning  Baptism  did  we  consider  in  our  last 

lesson?     The  question:    "What  does  baptism  give  or  profit?" 

2.  And   which   question   have  we   before   us   today?     The  question: 

"How  can  water  do  such   great  things?" 

3.  (358)     "How  can  water  do  such  great  things?"     "It  is  not  water 

indeed  that  does  them,  but  the  Word  of  God  which  is  in  and 
with  the  water,  and  faith  which  trusts  such  Word  of  God  in 
the  water.  For  without  the  Word  of  God  the  water  is  simply 
water  and  no  Baptism.  But  with  the  Word  of  God  it  is  a 
Baptism,  that  is,  a  gracious  water  of  life  and  a  washing  of 
regeneration  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  as  St.  Paul  says,  Titus,  third 
chapter:  "According  to  His  mercy  He  saved  us,  by  the 
washing  of  regeneration  and  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
which  He  shed  on  us  abundantly  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Savior;  that  being  justified  by  His  grace,  we  should  be 
made  heirs  according  to  the  hope  of  eternal  life.  This  is 
a  faithful   saying." 

4.  What   great   things    are    here    meant?      The    great   things    which 

Baptism   gives. 

5.  And  what  are  these  great  things?     Forgiveness  of  sins,  deliver- 

ance from  death  and  the  devil,  and  everlasting  salvation. 

6.  What   kind   of  things    are   these   here   called?      They   are   called 

great  things. 

7.  Yes,  and  they  are  indeed  great  things;    the  greatest  things  which 

we  can  imagine.  And  when  we  look  at  Baptism  outwardly, 
what  is  it?  What  is  the  outward,  earthly,  or  visible,  thing 
in  Baptism?     It  is  water. 

8.  Now  som-e  people  make  the  mistake  and  imagine  that  water  is 

all  there  is  in  Baptism,  that  it  is  simply  water.  What  do 
we  say  of  such   people?     They  are  mistaken. 

9.  Baptism  is  not  simply  water,  but  what  is  in  and  with  the  water 

in  Baptism?     The  Word  of  God. 

10.  We  saw   under  question   342   what   Word  of  God   is  here  meant. 

Let  us  hear  it  again.  The  word  of  command,  and  the  word 
of  promise. 

11.  Which  is  the  word   of  command?      (343).     "Go   ye  and   teach   all 

nations,  baptizing  them  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of 
the  Son,  and  of  the   Holy  Ghost." 

12.  And  which   is  the  word   of  promise?      (352).     "He  that   believeth 

and  is  baptized  shall  be  saved;  but  he  that  believeth  not, 
shall    be   damned." 

13.  (359)      "What  then  is  it  in  Baiitism   thnt  does  such  great  things?" 

"The  Word  of  God  that  is  in  and  with  the  water,  and  faith 
that  trusts  such  Word  of  God  in  the  water." 

14.  We   understand   full   well   that    a   little  water   cannot   take   af-^ay 

sin,  deliver  from  death  and  the  devil,  and  give  everlas<''"7 
life.  Water  can  wash  away  bodily  filth,  but  what  filth  can 
mere  water  not  take  away?    The  filth  of  sin. 


LESSON    92.  321 

15.  If  Baptism  were  mere  water,  it  could  not  deliver  us  from  death 

and  the  devil,  nor  give  everlasting  life.  But  what  is  Bap- 
tism? Baptism  is  not  simply  water,  but  the  water  compre- 
hended in  God's  command  and  connected  with  God's  word. 

16.  (359)     "What  then  is  it  in  liaptisni  tliat  does  such  great  things?" 

"The  Word  of  God  that  is  in  and  with  the  water  and  faith 
that  trusts  such  Word  of  God   in   the  water." 

17.  How  many  things  are  set  forth  in  this  answer  as  giving  Baptism 

its  power?    Two  things. 

18.  Which  is  the  first?     The   Word   of  God   that   is   in   and   with  the 

water. 

19.  And   which    is    the    second?      Faith    which    trusts    such    Word    of 

God   in   the  water. 

20.  What  is  it  then  that  gives  Baptism  its  power,  and  makes  it  such 

a  source  of  blessing?     It  is  the  Word  of  God. 

21.  While   we    are   agreed    that   water   cannot    worl^    forgiveness    of 

sins,  deliver  from  death  and  the  devil,  and  give  everlasting 
life,  what  is  it  that  can  do  these  great  things?  The  Word 
of  God  that  is  in  and  with  the  water. 

22.  And  what   is   necessary  on  our  part  in  order   that  the   Word   of 

God  in  Baptism  may  effect  these  great  things?  Faith  is 
necessary. 

23.  What   is    faith    to    do    according    to    question    359?      Faith    must 

trust  such  Word  of  God  in  Baptism. 

24.  (360)     "Is  Baptism  then  a  mere  sign?"    "It  Is  not,  but  a  gracious 

water  of  life  and  a  washing  of  regeneration  by  the  Holy 
Ghost." 

25.  We  are  agreed  that  Baptism   is   a   sign.     What  does   it  signify? 

(365).  "It  signifies  that  the  old  Adam  in  us,  by  daily  contri- 
tion and  repentance,  should  be  drowned  and  die,  with  all 
sins  and  evil  lusts;  and  that  a  new  man  daily  come  forth 
and  rise,  who  shall  live  in  righteousness  and  purity  before 
God   forever." 

26.  But   while   we   are   agreed   that  Baptism    is   a   sign,   are   we   also 

know  that  it  is  more  than  a  mere  sign.  There  is  a  great 
difference  between  the  picture  of  a  thing  and  the  thing  itself. 
If  a  person  were  real  hungry  and  you  showed  him  a  picture 
of  fruit,  would  that  satisfy  him?     It  would  not. 

27.  If   he    were   cold   and    you    showed    him   a   picture   of   a   red    hot 

stove,   would  that  warm  him?      It  would   not. 

28.  So    a   mere   picture,    or   sign   of   the   forgiveness   of   sins    cannot 

satisfy  a  poor  soul.  We  must  have  this  forgiveness  itself. 
And  how  is  this  brought  to  us?     Through  Baptism. 

29.  On  that  account,  what  is  Baptism  called  in  the  answer  to  ques- 

tion 360?     It  is  called  a  gracious  water  of  life. 

30.  A    gracious    water,    that   is,    a    water   In   and   through    which    the 

grace  of  God,  that  is,  the  forgiveness  of  sins,  is  l)estowed 
upon  us.  But  what  kind  of  water  is  it  called  in  this  same 
answer?  A  water  of  life  and  a  washing  of  regeneration  by 
the   Holy  Ghost. 

31.  What  is   necessary   for   the    production    and    preservation   of   life 

on  dry  land  in  nature?     Water  is  necessary. 

32.  Baptism  is  called  a  water  of  life,  for  when  God  through  Baptism 

forgives  us  our  sins  He  also  gives  us  new,  spiritual  life. 
What  does  the  Savior  say  to  Nicodemus,  John  3,  5-7. 
"Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  thee.  Except  a  man  be  born  of 
water  and  of  the  spirit,  he  cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom  of 
God.  That  which  is  born  of  the  flesh  is  flesh;  and  that 
which  is  born  of  the  spirit  Is  spirit." 
21 


322  LESSON   92. 

o3.     We   must   be   born   again   or   regenerated.     Who   alone   can   bring 
about  this  change  in  us?     The   Holy  Ghost. 

34.  And  through  what  means  does  the  Holy  Ghost  accomplish  this? 

Through    Baptism. 

35.  (361)     "With  what  words  does  St.  Paul  tell  us  this?"  "According 

to  His  mercy  He  saved  us,  by  the  washing  of  regeneration 
and  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost;  which  he  shed  on  us 
abundantly  through  Jesus  Christ,  our  Savior." 

36.  Who  is  it  then  that  saves  us?     It  is  God  who  saves  us. 

37.  What  induces   Him   to  save  us?      He   saves  us   according   to   his 

mercy. 

38.  And   how   does    He   do   this?      He   does   It   by   the   washing    of   re- 

generation  and   renewing   of  the   Holy  Ghost. 

39.  What  is  this  washing  of  regeneration?      It   Is   Baptism. 

40.  (362)     "What  then  is  Baptism  according  to  the  Word  of  God?" 

"It  is  that  washing  through  which  the  Holy  Ghost  regenerates 
and   renews   us." 

41.  (363)     "How   does   the   Holy   Ghost   do   this   in   Baptism?"     "He 

works  and  strengthens  faith  in  us,  through  which  we  become 
God's  children  and  grow  In  holiness  of  life." 

42.  We  have  seen  that  both  children  and  adults  are  to  be  baptized. 

in  whom,  being  without  faith  by  nature,  is  faith  to  be  worked 
through  Baptism?     In  children. 

43.  And  in  whom  is  faith  to  be  strengthened  by  Baptism  after  they 

have  learned  to  know  and  to  believe  on  the  Savior  through 
the  preaching  of  the  Word?     In  adults. 

44.  Read   Gal.    3,    26.    27.      "For   you    are   all    the   children    of   God    by 

faith  In  Christ  Jesus.  For  as  many  of  you  as  have  been 
baptized   into  Christ  have  put  on  Christ." 

45.  When    we   are    baptized    into    Christ,    whose   children    do   we    be- 

come?    We  become  God's  children. 

46.  We  are  born  again,   regenerated  and  made  the  children   of  God. 

Repeat  Eph.  5.  25.  26.  "Christ  also  loved  the  church  and 
gave  Himself  for  it;  that  He  might  sanctify  and  cleanse  it 
with  the  washing  of  water  by  the  word." 

47.  How   does  God   sanctify   and  cleanse   us?     With   the   washing   of 

water  by  the  Word. 

48.  What  is  this  washing  of  water  liy  the  Word?     It  is  Baptism. 

49.  Repeats  Rom.   8,   14.     "As   many  as  are   led    by  the   Spirit   of   God, 

they  are  the  sons  of  God." 

50.  What   is   here   said  of  the   sons  of  God?     They    are    led    by   the 

Spirit  of  God. 

51.  This    Spirit    we    received    in    Baptism,    and    this    spirit    gives    us 

both  the  power  and  the  will  to  walk  in  the  way  of  God's 
commandments.  Repeat  2  Cor.  5.  17.  "Therefore  If  any  man 
be  In  Christ,  he  Is  a  new  creature:  old  things  are  passed 
away;    behold,  all   things  are   become   new." 

52.  We  are  baptized  into  Christ,  and  what  is  here  said  of  the  man 

who  is  in  C^hrist?     He  Is  a  new  creature. 

53.  What  has  become  of  the  old  things,  that  is,  of  the  love  of  sin? 

Old   things  have   passed  away. 

54.  (364)     "What  are  we  baptized  believers  through  this  grace  of  the 

Holy  Spirit?"  "We  are  'justified  by  His  grace'  and  'heirs  ac- 
cording  to  the   hope  of  eternal    life.'" 

55.  Having  received  the  forgiveness  of  sins   through   Baptism,  how 

do  we  appear  before  God?     We  are  justified  by  His  grace. 

56.  And    being  God's   dear   Children,   what   follows    from   this?      We 

are   heirs   according   to  the  hope  of  eternal    life. 


LESSON  93.  323 

LESSON   93.     WHAT   DOES   BAPTISM   SIGNIFY? 

(Questions  365-369.) 

1.  (351)     We  have  seen,  children,  that  Baptism  is  not  a  mere  sign, 

an  empty  ceremony,  but  that  it  is  a  powerful  means  through 
which  the  Holy  Ghost  works  in  us.  "What  does  Baptism  give 
or  profit?"  "It  works  forgiveness  of  sins,  delivers  from  death 
and  the  devil,  and  gives  everlasting  salvation  to  all  who 
believe  it,  as  the  words  and  promises  of  God  declare." 

2.  But  Baptism   not   only   works   something,   it   also    signifies   some- 

thing. That  is,  it  is  the  sign,  or  the  picture,  of  something. 
We  do  not  object  to  calling  baptism  a  sign,  but  what  do  we 
object  to?  You  can  tell  me  from  question  360,  not  from 
the  answer,  but  from  the  question.  We  object  to  calling 
baptism  a  mere  sign. 

3.  It  is   a  sign,  or  a  representation,   of  something,  but  it  is  much 

more  than  this.  After  we  have  seen  what  Baptism  actually 
gives  and  does,  it  is  important  that  we  also  consider  what 
it  represents,  or  signifies.  Under  what  head  do  we  consider 
this  in  the  Catechism?     Under  No.  IV. 

4.  (365)     "What  does  such  baptizing  with  water  signify?"     "It  sig- 

nifies that  the  old  Adam  in  us,  by  daily  contrition  and  re- 
pentance should  be  drowned  and  die,  with  all  sins  and  evil 
lusts;  and  that  a  new  man  daily  come  forth  and  arise,  who 
shall    live    in    righteousness   and    purity   before    God   forever." 

5.  (366)      "Where  is  this  written?"    "St.  Paul,  Romans,  sixth  chapter, 

says:  'We  are  buried  with  Christ  by  Baptism  into  death; 
that  like  as  He  was  raised  up  from  the  dead  by  the  glory 
of  the  Father,  even  so  we  also  should  walk  in  newness 
of   life.'" 

6.  Here  we  are   told   with   what  we   baptize.     What   is   the   earthly 

element  in  Baptism,  what  do  we  baptize  with?  We  baptize 
with  water. 

7.  What  is  water  ordinarily  used  for?     It  is  used  for  drinking. 

8.  And  for  what  else  is  it  used?     It  is  used  for  washing. 

9.  When    your    hands,    your    face    or    your    clothes,    become    soiled, 

what  do  you  use  to  cleanse  them?     We  use  water. 

10.  Water  is    the   great   cleanser   from   bodily   filth.     But   there  is   a 

filth  that  is  worse  than  bodily  filth,  what  is  it?  The  filth 
of  sin. 

11.  Now  the  water  in  Baptism  signifies  this  cleansing  from  spiritual 

filth.  As  in  Baptism  our  bodies  are  washed  with  water,  so 
our  souls  are  to  be  cleansed  from  sin.  What  is  it  in  Bap- 
tism that  signifies  this  spiritual  cleansing?     It  is  the  water. 

12.  \^niat  mode  of  Baptism  was  often  used  in  warm  climates  where 

Christ  and  His  disciples  labored?  They  baptized  by  im- 
mersion. 

13.  What    becomes   of  a   man   when   he   is   ])ut  under  the   water  and 

held  there?     He  is  drowned. 

14.  According  to  the  answer  to  question  36.",  wliat  is  to  be  drowned 

in  us?     The  old   Adam. 

15.  (367)      "What  do  you  understand  l)y  'the  old   Adam?""     "Our  de- 

praved nature,  which  we  inherited  from  Adam  and  which 
shows  itself   in  all  sin  and  evil   lusts." 

16.  Our   depraved   nature   here   means   the   sinfulness   of   our   nature. 

From  whom  did  we  inherit  this  sinfulness?  We  inherited 
it  from   Ad£ 


324  LESSON  93. 

17.  In  whose  image  was  Adam  created?     In  the  image  of  God. 

18.  Wherein  did  this  image  consist?     In  righteousness  and  holiness. 

19.  What  became  of  this  image  of  God?     It  was  lost  by  sin. 

20.  Since  Adam  became  sinful,  what  effect  had  his  sinfulness  on  all 

his  descendants?     They  are  all  sinful. 

21.  And  how  does  this  sinfulness  of  our  nature  show  itself?     Ques- 

tion 367.     It  shows  itself  in  all  sins  and  evil   lusts. 

22.  Repeat  Eph.   4,  22.     "Put  off  concerning   the  former  conversation 

the  old  man  which  is  corrupt  according  to  the  deceitful 
lusts." 

23.  Our  hearts  are  always  inclined  to  evil.     Even  after  we  are  bap- 

tized we  still  have  sinful  hearts,  and  are  inclined  to  all  sins 
and  evil  lusts.  How,  for  instance,  does  this  sinfulness 
show  itself  in  the  conduct  of  a  child  toward  its  parents? 
Through  disobedience. 

24.  How  does  it  show  itself  in  children  in  their  conduct  among  them- 

selves?    They   get   angry   and   quarrel.     They   are   selfish. 

25.  How   does   it   show    itself   in    sins   against   the    eighth   command- 

ment?    They  lie,  and  spread  bad  reports  about  each  other. 

26.  (368)     "What  should  be  done  with  this  old  Adam?"     "He  should 

in  us  by  daily  contrition  and  repentance  be  drowned  and 
die,  with  all   sins  and   evil    lusts." 

27.  What  becomes   of  a  man   when  he  is   put  under  the  water  and 

held  there?     He    is  drowned.      He   dies. 

28.  So  we  should  drown  and  kill  all  sin  in  us.     What  would  a  man 

do  if  you  tried  to  put  him  under  the  water  and  drown  him? 
He  would  struggle  and  try  to  get  loose. 

29.  So   our   sinful   nature   resists  when   we   try  to   get  rid  of   it.     It 

dies  hard.  It  requires  a  fight  to  put  away  sin.  How  is  the 
old  Adam  in  us  to  be  drowned?  By  daily  contrition  and 
repentance. 

30.  Contrition   here   means   sorrow.     What   should   we  be  sorry  for? 

We  should   be  sorry  for  our  sins. 

31.  How  does  God  regard  sin?     It  offends  Him.     He  hates  it. 

32.  And  on  what  account,  how  should  we  feel  when  we  find  that  we 

have  sinned?     We  should  feel  sorry. 

33.  And  what  has  God  threatened  to  do  with  sin?     He  has  threatened 

to  punish   it. 

34.  And  when  we  hear  and  learn  this,  what  effect  should  it  have  on 

us.?     We  should  become  alarmed.     We  should  be  afraid. 

35.  But  the  Catechism  speaks  not  only  of  contrition,  that  is,  of  sor- 

row, but  of  what  else?     Of  repentance. 

36.  That  is,  when  we  become  alarmed  on  account  of  sin,  we  should 

not  despair,  but  turn  to  God  for  help.  What  has  God  prom- 
ised to  do  with  the  sins  of  those  who  repent?  He  has 
promised   to  forgive  them. 

37.  And  this  we  should  believe  with  all  our  hearts.     For  whose  sake 

has  God  promised  to  forgive  our  sins?     For  Christ's  sake. 

38.  What  did  Christ  do  that  God  should  forgive  sins  for  His  sake? 

He  suffered  and  died  for  us. 

39.  If  we   turn   to   God   in   true  repentance   and   ask   forgiveness   for 

Christ's  sake,  what  may  we  expect?  We  may  expect  that 
God  will  forgive  us  our  sins. 

-JO.  But  why  does  the  Catechism  sreak  of  daily  contrition  and  re- 
pentance?    Because  we  sin  every  day. 

41.  This  fight  against  sin  never  ends  as  long  as  we  live.  It  is  a 
bitter  fight,  and  will  end  only  when  we  die  and  God  takes 
us  to  heaven.  How  often  do  we  need  to  wash  our  hands  and 
faces?     Every  day,  or  as  often  as  they  get  dirty. 


LESSON  94.  325 

42.  So   this   spiritual  cleansing  is   to   go  on  continually.     What  sins 

and  evil  lusts  are  to  be  drowned  and  die  in  us?  All  sins 
and  evil  lusts. 

43.  We   dare   not   be   indifferent,   or   careless,   in   regard    to   a   single 

sin.  How  should  we  feel  about  every  sin?  We  should  feel 
sorry,  and  ask  God's  forgiveness. 

44.  (:)69)      "What    shall   take   his    iilace?"     "There   shall   'a    new   man 

daily  come  forth  and  arise,  who  shall  live  in  righteousness 
and   purity  before  God  forever.'  " 

45.  When  they  baptized   by  immersion  and   put  a  person   under  the 

water,  did   they  leave  him   there?     No,  they   drew   him   out 
again. 
4G.     As  putting  under  the  water  meant  death,  what  did  drawing  out 
again  mean?     It  meant  life. 

47.  The   one   is    a    symbol    of   death    and    the    other    of    resurrection. 

What  is  to  come  forth  and  arise?     A  new  man. 

48.  Baptism   is    the    sacrament   of  regeneration.     In    and    through    it 

God  creates  new  spiritual  life  in  us,  and  what  is  here  said 
about  this  new  life,  this  new  man?  He  is  daily  to  come 
forth  and  arise. 

49.  That  is.  the  new  man  is  to  show  himself,  to  make  himself  felt. 

And  how  is  this  to  be  done?     In   righteousness  and   purity. 

50.  Yes,  and  this  is  to  be  before  God,  who  sees  and  knows  all  things. 

Under  whose  eye,  therefore,  are  we  to  live  in  the  world? 
Under  the  eye  of  God. 

51.  So  God  said  to  Abraham,  as  we  read.  Gen.  17.  1.     "When  Abram 

was  ninety  years  old  and  nine,  the  Lord  appeared  to  Abram, 
and  said  unto  him,  I  am  the  Almighty  God;  walk  before  me, 
and  be  thou  perfect." 

52.  We  are  daily  to  grow  in  holiness  of  heart  and  life.     We  are  to 

be  better  today  than  we  were  yesterday,  better  tomorrow 
than  we  are  today.  And  how  long  are  we  thus  to  live  in 
righteousness  and  purity  before  God?     Forever. 

53.  The   new    life   which   W3s   begun   in    us   by   Baptism    is   never   to 

end.  We  are  to  live  a  righteous  and  a  pure  life  all  our  days 
on  earth.  Of  course,  it  will  always  be  in  great  weakness 
so  long  as  we  live  on  earth.  But  where  do  we  expect  to 
live  a  perfectly  righteous  and  pure  life  forever?     in  heaven. 

51.  St.  Pnul,  in  T?omans  the  sixth  chapter,  verse  4,  speaks  of  Bap- 
tism. What  does  he  say  in  the  first  part  of  the  sentence? 
We  are  buried  with  Christ  by  Baptism  into  death. 

55.  Christ  died  and  was  buried,  and  Baptism  buries  us,  as  it  were, 
with  Him.  We  are  to  be  dead  to  sin.  But  what  does  the 
apostle  say  about  Christ's  resurrection  and  our  walk?  Like 
as  He  was  raised  up  from  the  dead  by  the  glory  of  the  father, 
even   so  we  also  should  walk   in   newness  of  life." 


CONFESSION 


LESSON   94.     OF  CONFESSION. 

(Question  370.) 

What  chief  part  of  the  Catechism  did  we  finish  in  our  last  les- 
son?    The  fourth  chief  part. 

Of  what  does  the  fourth  chief  part  of  the  Catechism  treat?  It 
treats  of  holy  Baptism. 

What  was  the  fourth  iniiiortant  question  of  the  Catechism  con- 
rerning  Baptism?  "What  does  such  Baptism  with  water 
signify?" 


326  LESSON   94. 

4.  And    what    answer    does    the    Catechism    give    to    this    question? 

"It  signifies  that  the  old  Adam  in  us,  by  daily  contrition  and 
repentance  should  be  drowned  and  die,  with  all  sins  and  evil 
lusts;  and  that  a  new  man  daily  come  forth  and  arise,  who 
shall    live   in    righteousness  and   purity   before   God  forever." 

5.  What  do   we   understand   by  the  old  Adam?     The   sinfulness  of 

our.  nature. 

6.  Against  this  we  are  to  fight;    this  we  are  to  put  down.    Our  whole 

life  on  earth  is  to  be  a  continual  fight  against  sin.  When 
we  become  aware  of  the  fact  that  we  have  sinned,  how 
should  we  feel  about  it?     We  should  feel  sorry. 

7.  In  the  parable  of  the  prodigal  son  we  see  what  should  be  done 

when  we  have  sinned.  What  did  he  say  when  he  came  to 
himself,  that  is,  when  he  realized  that  he  had  sinned? 
Luke  15,  18.  "I  will  rise  and  go  to  my  father  and  say  to 
him,  'Father,  I  have  sinned  against  heaven,  and  before 
thee.'  " 

8.  What  did  he  make  up  his  mind  to  do?  To  go  to  his  father  and 

confess  his  sins. 

9.  This    confession   is    necessary    if   we    would    receive   forgiveness. 

Our  Lutheran  Church  has  arranged  a  special  service  for 
those  who  would  go  to  the  Lord's  Supper.  What  do  we 
call  this  service?  We  call  it  the  confessional  service,  or 
confession. 

10.  (370)     "What  is  confession?"     "Confession  embraces  two   parts: 

one  is,  that  we  confess  our  sins;  the  other,  that  we  receive 
the  absolution  or  forgiveness  from  the  confessor,  as  from 
God  himself,  and  in  no  wise  doubt  but  firmly  believe,  that 
thereby   our  sins   are   forgiven    before    God    in    heaven." 

11.  How  many  parts  does  confession  embrace?     Two  parts. 

12.  Which  is  the  first?     That  we  confess  our  sins. 

13.  To  do  this  we  must  first  know  what  sin  is.     What  is  sin?     (L!3) 

"Sin   is  every  transgression   of  the  divine   law." 

14.  Every   time    we    transgress   God's    law,   what   are    we    guilty    of? 

We  are  guilty  of  sin. 

15.  How   many   kinds   of   sin   are   there?      (125)     Two:    origmal    and 

actual. 

16.  What  is   original   sin?      (126)      "It    is   the   utter   depravity   of   the 

whole  human  nature,  which,  since  the  fail  of  Adam,  is  in- 
born  in   all   men." 

17.  What   is   actual   sin?      (128)      "All   that    is   done   contrary   to   the 

Ten    Commandments    in   thought,   word    and    deed." 

18.  When  the  prodigal  son  became  aware  that  he  had  sinned  against 

his  father,  what  did  he  nnke  up  his  mind  to  do?  Luke 
15,  18.  To  go  home  and  confess  his  sins. 

19.  What  did  David  do  when  Nathan  told  him  of  his  sins?     2  Sam. 

12,  13.     He  said:      "I   have  sinned  against  the  Lord." 

20.  What  did  David  do  with  his  sins?     He  confessed  them. 

21.  Read  what  is  written,   Prov.   28,  13.     "He  that  covereth   his  sins 

shall  not  prosper:  but  whoso  confesseth  rnd  forsaketh  them 
shall   have  mercy." 

22.  Accordingly    who    shall    have    mercy?      He    that    confesseth    and 

forsaketh    his  sins. 

23.  To  confess   sins   means   not   only   to   acknowledge   that   we   have 

sinned,  but  how  should  we  feel  about  our  sins?  We  should 
feel  sorry  for  our  sins. 

24.  And  why  should  we  feel  sorry  for  sin,  when  we  think  of  how  it 

affects   God?      Because   it   grieves   and    offends    Him. 

25.  And  what  does  sin  bring  upon  us?     It  brings  punishment  upon  us. 


LESSON  94.  327 


26.  All  this  we  should   confess,   l)ut  confession   embraces  two  parts. 

What  is  the  second?  The  other  is  that  we  receive  absolu- 
tion, etc. 

27.  When   we   think  of  onr   sins,   what    should   we   l)e  anxious  to   I'e- 

ceive?     We  should  be  anxious  to  receive  forgiveness. 
2S.     Why    is    this    forgiveness    so   necessary?      Because    we   cannot    be 
saved  without  it. 

29.  If   sin   is   not    forgiven    what    will    be   done    with   it?      It   will    be 

punished. 

30.  And  what  is  the  punishment  of  sin?     Death  and  damnation. 

31.  What  are  we  to  receive  in  confession?     We  are   to    receive  ab- 

solution. 

32.  What  does  absolution  mean?      It   means  forgiveness. 

33.  From    whom    are    we    to    receive    this    forgiveness?      From    the 

confessor. 

34.  The  confessor  here  means  the  pastor.     But  how  should   we  re- 

ceive the  absolution  from  the  confessor?  As  from  God 
himself. 

35.  Whom  have  we  offended  by  our  sins?     We  have  offended  God. 

36.  So  David  confessed  with  reference  to  his  great  sin,  as  we  read 

Ps.  51,  4.  "Against  thee,  thee  only,  have  I  sinned,  and  done 
this  evil  in  thy  sight:  that  thou  mightest  be  Justified  when 
thou   speakest,   and    be   clear  when   thou   judgest." 

37.  Then  who  alone  can  forgive  sin?     God  alone  can  forgive  sin. 

38.  But  God  does  it  through  his  servant,  the  pastor.     In  whose  name 

does  the  pastor  forgive  sin?     In  God's  name. 

39.  Our  Catechism  in  question  370  says  we  should  in  no  wise  doubt. 

What  should  we  not  doubt?  We  should  not  doubt  that  our 
sins  are   forgiven. 

40.  How    can    God    forgive    sin    when    He    has    threatened    to    punish 

it?  Who  has  made  It  possible  for  God  to  forgive  sins? 
Our  Lord   Jesus  Christ. 

41.  How  did  He  do  this?     Through  his  innocent  sufferings  and  death. 

42.  For  whom  did  Christ  secure  forgiveness  of  sins?     For  all  men. 

43.  What,  then,  should  we  firmly  believe?    That  our  sins  are  forgiven. 

44.  Through  whom  does  God  declai'e  to  us  the  forgiveness  of  sins? 

Through   the   ministers   of  the   Gospel. 

45.  And    how    should    we    regard    this    declaration    of    the    minister? 

As  though   God   Himself  had   made  it. 

46.  How  should  we  look  upon   what  a  person  does  through  his  ser- 

vant, or  agent?     As  though  the  person   had  done  it  himself. 

47.  What  does  the  Savior  say,  Luke  10,  IG,  in  the  first  part  of  the 

verse?     "He  that  heareth  you,  heareth  me." 

48.  We  have  already  referred  to  David's  confession  of  his  great  sin, 

2  Sam.  12,  13.  What  did  Nathan  say  to  David  after  his 
confession?  "And  Nathan  said  unto  David,  'The  Lord  also 
hath  put  away  thy  sin;    thou  shalt  not  die.'" 

49.  So   how    did    God    assure   David    of   the   forgiveness    of   his    sin? 

Through   Nathan. 

50.  And  how  might  David  regard  this  declaration?     As  though  God 

Himself  had  spoken  to  him. 


328  LESSON  95. 


LESSON  95.     WHAT  SINS   SHOULD  WE  CONFESS? 

(Questions  371-372.) 

1.  (370)     "What  is  confession?"     "Confession  embraces  two  parts: 

One  is,  that  we  confess  our  sins;  the  other,  that  we  receive 
the  absolution,  or  forgiveness,  from  the  confessor,  as  from 
God  Himself,  and  in  no  wise  doubt  but  firmly  believe,  that 
thereby  our  sins  are  forgiven  before  God   in  heaven." 

2.  What  is  the  first  part  of  confession?     The  first  part  of  confes- 

sion  is  that  we  confess  our  sins. 

3.  (371)     "What  sins  should  we  confess?"     "Before  God  we  should 

plead  guilty  of  all  sins,  even  of  those  which  we  do  not  know, 
as  we  do  in  the  Lord's  prayer;  but  before  the  confessor  we 
should  confess  those  sins  only  which  we  know  and  feel  in 
our    hearts." 

4.  Before  whom   should   we   first  of  all   confess   our   sins?     Before 

God. 

5.  What  sins  should  we  confess  before  God?     Before  God  we  should 

plead  guilty  of  all  sins. 

6.  Against  whom  is  all  sin  an  offense?     Against  God. 

7.  When   Cain   slew   his   brother  Abel,   he   sinned  not  only  against 

his  brother  and  against  his  parents,  but  against  whom?  He 
sinned  against  God. 

8.  And  this  is  always  the  worst  thing  about  sin  that  it  is  an  offense 

against  God.  It  is  rebellion  against  Him.  So  David  con- 
fessed Ps.  51,  4.  "Against  thee,  thee  only  have  I  sinned, 
and  done  this  evil  in  thy  sight;  that  thou  mightest  be  justi- 
fied when  thou  speakest,  and   be  clear  when  thou  judgest." 

9.  Before    God    we    should    confess    ourselves    guilty    even    of   what 

sins?     Even  of  those  which  we  do  not  know. 

10.  What   does    David   say,    Ps.    19,    12?      "Who   can    understand    his 

errors?  cleanse  thou    me  from  secret  faults." 

11.  We   often   sin  without  knowing  it,   and   there  is   nothing  we   so 

easily  forget  as  our  sins.  Which  one  of  God's  command- 
ments have  we  kept  perfectly?  We  have  kept  none  of  God's 
commandments  perfectly. 

12.  When  the  poor  publican  stood  before  God,  what  did  he  acknowl- 

edge himself  to  be?  Luke  18,  13.  He  acknowledged  himself 
to  be  a  sinner. 

13.  He  did  not  confess  any  particular  sin,  because  he  felt  his  sins 

were  too  many  to  mention  them  one  by  one.  Where  do 
we  all  make  a  general  confession  of  sin  every  day?  In  the 
Lord's  Prayer. 

14.  In  which  petition  of  the  Lord's  Prayer  do  we  confess  our  sin? 

In  the  fifth  petition. 

15.  Repeat  the  fifth  petition.     "And  forgive  us  our  trespasses  as  we 

forgive  those  who  trespass  against  us." 

16.  Here   we   confess   not  only   that   we   have   sinned,   but   that  we 

are  sinners,  just  as  the  poor  publican  did.  For  we  have  not 
only  sinned  by  actual  sins  in  thoughts,  words  and  deeds, 
but  what  other  sin  have  we  besides  actual  sin,  that  which 
is  the  root  of  actual  sin?     Original   sin. 


LESSON  95.  329 

17.  All  this  we  should  acknowledge  and  confess  before  God,  as  we 

see  from  Ps.  ?>2,  3-5.  "When  I  kept  silence,  my  bones  waxed 
old  through  my  roaring  all  the  day  long.  For  day  and 
night  thy  hand  was  heavy  upon  me:  my  moisture  is  turned 
into  the  drought  of  summer.  Selah.  I  acknowledged  my  sin 
unto  thee,  and  mine  iniquity  have  I  not  hid.  i  said,  I  will 
confess  my  transgressions  unto  the  Lord;  and  thou  forgavest 
the  iniquity  of  my  sin.     Selah." 

18.  Also  Prov.  28,  13.     "He  that  covereth   his  sins  shall   not  prosper; 

but  whoso  confesseth  and  forsaketh  them  shall  have  mercy." 

19.  But   confession   before    God,    the    searcher    of   hearts,   is    not   all 

which  the  Catechism  speaks  of.  What  other  confession  is 
mentioned  in  question  371?     Confession  before  the  confessor. 

20.  The  confessor  is  the   pastor.     What  sins   should   we  confess  be- 

fore him?  Those  sins  only  which  we  know  and  feel  in  our 
hearts. 

21.  It  is  neither  necessary  nor  possible  to  confess  every  particular 

sin  before  the  pastor.  But  when  we  know  and  feel  certain 
sins  that  trouble  us  and  give  us  no  peace  and  rest,  to  whom 
should  we  go  for  advice  and  comfort?  We  should  go  to 
the  pastor. 

22.  When  you   are  troubled   with   bodily  sickness  or   pain,   to   whom 

do  you  go  for  medicine  and  advice?     To  the  physician. 

23.  And    whom    should    you    consider    as    your    spiritual    physician? 

The  pastor. 

24.  Yes,   and   the   pastor  should   regard   what   is  thus  told   and   con- 

fessed to  him  as  a  sacred  trust  which  he  is  to  keep  to  him- 
self. You  should  have  confidence  in  your  pastor  and  be 
open  and  honest  toward  him:  for  only  then  can  he  properly 
advise  and  deal  with  you,  just  as  a  physician  does  with  his 
patient.  If  we  have  sinned  against,  and  offended,  any- 
body, what  are  we  told  to  do.  Matt.  5,  23-25?  "Therefore 
if  thou  bring  thy  gift  to  the  altar,  and  there  remetnberest 
that  thy  brother  hath  ought  against  thee;  leave  there  thy 
gift  before  the  altar,  and  go  thy  way;  first  be  reconciled  to 
thy  brother,  and  then   come  and   offer  thy  gift." 

25.  All  our  worship  of  God  amounts  to  nothing,   so   long  as   we   rlo 

not  live  in  peace  with  one  another.  If  we  have  sinned 
against  and  offended  a  brother,  what  should  we  do  as  soon 
as  we  become  aware  of  it?  We  should  go  to  him  and  con- 
fess our  faults. 

26.  It  is  no  disgrace  to  confess  a  sin   or  a  fault.     The  disgrace  lies 

in  the  sin  and  not  in  the  confession.  So  we  are  admonished. 
James  5,  6.  "Confess  your  faults  one  to  another,  and  pray 
one  for  another,  that  ye  may  be  healed.  The  effectual,  fer- 
vent prayer  of  a   righteous   man   availeth   much." 

27.  To  whom  did  the  prodigal  son  confess  his  sins?     To  his  father. 

28.  So  we  should  confess  sins  before  men.     We   should  not  be   too 

proud  to  say  to  an  offended  brother:  "Brother,  I  am  sorry 
that  I  did  you  wrong,  and  I  ask  you  to  forgive  me."  The 
fact  is,  that  if  we  are  not  willing  to  make  such  confession 
to  men,  we  cannot  honestly  make  confession  to  God.  Which 
sins  should  we  thus  confess  before  men?  Those  which  we 
know  and  feel  in  our  hearts. 

29.  (372)      "Which  are  these?"     "Here  consider  your  station  according 

to  the  Ten  Commandments,  whether  you  are  a  father, 
mother,  son,  daughter,  master,  mistress,  servant;  whether 
you  have  been  disobedient,  unfaithful,  slothful:  whether 
you  have  grieved  any  person,  by  word  or  deed:  whether  yon 
have  stolen,  neglected,  wasted  anything,  or  done  other  harm." 


330  LESSON  95. 

30.  What   is   the   rule   according   to    which   we   should    examine   our- 

selves?    The  ten  commandments. 

31.  When  a  brick-layer  wants  to  know  whether  the  wall  he  is  build- 

ing is  plumb,  how  does  he  find  this  out?  He  applies  the 
plumbline. 

32.  So  God's  law,  the  ten  commandments,   are  a  plumbline  for  our 

lives.  How  must  we  regard  everything  that  does  not  agree 
with  this  rule?     We  must  regard  it  as  wrong  and  sinful. 

33.  But   what   are   we   to   consider   according   to   question  372?      We 

are  to  consider  our  station. 

34.  That   is,   your  station,   or  standing,   in  life.     Some  of  these  sta- 

tions are  here  mentioned.  What  are  they?  Whether  you 
are  father,  mother,  son,  daughter,  master,  mistress,  servant. 

35.  To  each  of  these  stations  in  life,  God  has  given  particular  duties. 

What,  for  instance,  does  he  require  of  parents?  Eph.  6,  4. 
"Ye  fathers,  provoke  not  your  children  to  wrath:  but  bring 
them   up   in   the   nurture  and   admonition   of  the   Lord." 

36.  Parents  then  should  ask  themselves:    "Have  I  done  this?"    What 

does  God  require  of  children  according  to  the  fourth  com- 
mandment?    "Thou  shalt  honor  thy  father  and  thy  mother." 

37.  What  does   God   require   of  masters?     Col.   4,   1.     "Masters,   give 

unto  your  servants  that  which  is  just  and  equal;  knowing 
that  ye  also  have  a  Master  in  heaven." 

38.  And  what  does  God  require  of  servants?     Col.  3,  22.     "Servants, 

obey  in  all  things  your  masters  according  to  the  flesh;  not 
with  eyeservice  as  menpleasers;  but  in  singleness  of  heart, 
fearing  God." 

39.  What  should  a  servant,  or  workman,  confess  according  to  ques- 

tion 372?  Whether  he  has  been  disobedient,  unfaithful  or 
slothful. 

40.  What   else    should    we   acknowledge    and   confess?      Whether   we 

have  grieved  any  person   by  word  or  deed. 

41.  What    sins    against    the    seventh    commandment   should    we    con- 

fess?    Whether  we  have  stolen,  neglected,  wasted  anything. 

42.  What  sins  against  the  third   commandment  should   we  confess? 

That  we  have  neglected   preaching  and   God's  word. 

43.  What   sins   against   the    fifth   commandment   should   we   confess? 

That   we    have   been   angry  and   hated   our   neighbor. 

44.  What   should   we  confess   as   a   sin   against   the   sixth   command- 

ment? That  we  have  not  led  a  chaste  and  decent  life  in 
thought,  word  and  deed. 

45.  And  against  the   eighth    commandment?     That   we   have    not   al- 

ways  been   truthful. 

46.  In  general,  what  should   we  examine  according  to  the  sentence 

in  parenthesis  in  question  372?  We  should  examine  not 
merely  our  outward  conduct,  but  also  our  inner  life  of  the 
heart  as  to  the  sinful   motions   it  indulged. 

47.  Let  us  remember  that  this  self-examination  is  to  be  before  God, 

who  is  the  searcher  of  hearts,  as  we  read,  Jer.  17,  10.  "I, 
the  Lord  search  the  heart,  I  try  the  reins,  even  to  give  every 
man  according  to  his  ways,  and  according  to  the  fruit  of  his 
doings." 

48.  This    self-examination   we   should   hold   daily.     When  the  day  is 

past  and  we  are  about  to  retire  we  should  ask  ourselves, 
"How  have  I  spent  the  day?  What  have  I  said  and  done? 
Will  my  thoughts  and  desires  meet  with  God's  approval?" 
But  especially  careful  and  searching  should  this  examination 
be  before  what  sacred  and  solemn  service?  Before  we  go 
to  the   Holy  Communion. 


LESSON   96.  ^31 

49      Yes    children,  this  is  the  time  to  make  up,  if  we  have  grieved 
'and    offended   one    another.      This    is    the    time    not    only    to 
confess,  but  to  forgive  as  we  hope  to  be  forgiven.     God  help 
us  to  do  it  with  all  uprightness  of  heart! 


LESSON    96.      THE    CONFESSIONAL    PRAYER. 

(Question  o75.) 

1  We  have  seen  that  a  Christian  should  make  confession  of  sins 
both  to  God  and  his  pastor.  What  sins  should  we  confess 
before  God?  Before  God  we  should  plead  guilty  of  all  sins, 
even  of  those  which  we  do   not  know. 

2.  And  what  sins  should  we  confess  before  the  confessor,  or  pastor? 
Those  only  which  we  know  and  feel   in  our  hearts. 

3  We  have  also  seen  that,  in  order  to  make  proper  confession,  we 
should  examine  ourselves.  According  to  what  rule  should 
we    examine    our    selves?     According    to    the    ten    command- 

4.  And  if  we  thus  examine  ourselves,  what  will  we  find?     We  will 

find  that  we  are  poor  sinners. 

5.  And  when  we  And  that  we  are  poor  sinners,  what  should  we  do 

with  our  sins  before  God?     We  should  confess  them. 

6  (373)     "With  about  what  words  can  you  make  confession  before 

God  and  your  pastor?"  "Almighty  God,  O  most  merciful 
Father,  I,  a  poor,  miserable  sinner,  confess  unto  Thee  all  my 
sins  and  iniquities,  whereby  I  have  ever  offended  Thee  and 
justly  deserved  Thy  temporal  and  eternal  punishment;  but  I 
am  heartily  sorry  for  them  all  and  repent  of  them  truly,  and  I 
beseech  Thee  through  Thine  infinite  mercy  and  for  the  sake 
of  the  holy,  innocent,  and  bitter  sufferings  and  death  of  Thy 
dear  Son,  Jesus  Christ,  to  be  gracious  and  merciful  to  me,  a 
poor  sinner.     Amen." 

7  Let  us   look  at  this  prayer  a   little   more  closely.     To  whom   is 

this  prayer  addressed?     To  Almighty  God. 

8.  Omnipotence  is  one  of  the  attributes  of  God.  Can  you  mention 
others?  God  is  eternal,  omnipresent,  omniscient,  holy,  right- 
eous,  merciful   and  truthful. 

y  The  God  to  whom  we  are  to  make  confession  is  omnipresent. 
What  does  that  mean?  It  means  that  He  is  everywhere  pres- 
ent at  the  same  time. 

10      Yes    no  matter  where  we  are,   God   is   present  to  hear  our  con- 
fession.    But  He  is  also  omniscient.     What  does  that  mean?     It 

means  that  He  knows  all  things. 
Yes    it  means  that  He  sees  and  knows  whether  we  are  truthful 
in  our  confession  or  not.     It  is  foolish  to  try  to  deceive  God, 
Who  sees  and  knows  all  things.     But  what  other  attribute  of 
God  can  you  mention?     God  is  holy. 

12.     And  what  does  this  mean?     It  means  that  He  is  without  sin. 

13  Before  this  sinless,  pure,  perfect  God  we  are  to  make  confession. 
God  is  not  only  holy;  what  other  attribute  of  God  can  you 
mention  that  is  closely  related  to  holiness?    God  is  righteous. 

14.  And  what  does  that  mean?  It  means  that  He  loves  and  rewards 
what  is  good  and  hates  and  punishes  what  is  evil. 

15  But  in  the  prayer  under  consideration  we  call  God  not  only  Al- 
mighty God.  but  what  other  name  do  we  give  Him?  We  call 
Him    most   merciful    Father. 


332  LESSON  96. 

16.  And  what  does  it  mean  when  we  call  God  a  merciful  Father?     It 

means  that   He  pities  us  and   is  ready  to  forgive. 

17.  Yes,  let 'us  remember  this;  the  God  before  Whom  we  are  to  make 

confession  is  not  a  haid-hearted  tyrant  who  takes  pleasure 
in  punishing  and  destroying,  but  a  merciful  Father  who  is 
ready  to  forgive  those  who  repent.  What  do  you  call  your- 
self in  this  prayer?     I  call  myself  a  poor,  miserable  sinner. 

18.  What  is  a  sinner?     A  sinner  is  one  who  has  sinned. 

19.  What  is  sin?     Sin  is  every  transgression  of  the  divine  law. 

20.  Why  do  ^\e  confess  ourselves  sinners?     Because  we  have  trans- 

gressed God's  law. 

21.  What  kind  of  a  sinner  do  you  confess  yourself  to  be?     A   poor, 

miserable  sinner. 

22.  When  is  a  man  poor?     When  he  has  nothing. 

23.  And  before  God  we  have  nothing  but  sin.     We  have  no  righteous- 

ness. There  is  nothing  good  about  us.  Can  you  think  of 
such  a  poor  sinner  who  thought  only  of  his  sins  when  he 
stood  in  the  temple  before  God?     The  poor  publican. 

24.  What  confession  did  he  make  before  God?     "God  be  merciful  to 

me  a  sinner." 

25.  But  you  also  confess  yourself  to  be  a  miserable  sinner.     When  is 

a  man  in  misery?     When  he  is  in  pain,  in  trouble. 

26.  And  so  it  pains  us  to  think  that  by  our  sins  we  have  grieved  and 

offended  God.  And  what  might  we  justly  expect  from  God 
for  our  sins?     We  might  expect  His  wrath  and  punishment. 

27.  To  whom  do  we  make  confession  according  to  this  prayer?     We 

say,  "I   confess  unto  Thee!" 

28.  When  we  repeat  this  prayer,  we  are  assembled  in  the  house  of 

God.  We  stand  or  kneel,  not  before  the  pastor,  but  before 
whom?     Before  God. 

29.  Yes,   before   God,   the   searcher   of   hearts,   who  knows   us  better 

than  we  know  ourselves.     And  what  do  you  confess  to  God? 
I   confess  all   my  sins  and   iniquities. 
?,Q.     How  many  kinds  of  sin  are  there?    Two,  original  and  actual. 

31.  We  confess  both  that  we  are  l^y  nature  sinners  and  that  we  have 

in  thought,  words  and  deeds  sinned.  And  what  have  you 
(lone  by  your  sins?     I   have  offended  God. 

32.  Sin  offends  God.     He  hates  it.     And  what  have  you  deserved  by 

your  sins?     I  have  thereby  deserved  God's  punishment. 

33.  How  many  kinds  of  i)unishment  aie  here  mentioned?     Two:  tem- 

poral "and  eternal. 

34.  What  is   meant   l)y   temporal   punishment?      Punishment    here    in 

this  world. 

35.  Give  me   some   examples    of   punishment    by  God   in   the   present 

world.     Thei  flood,  Sodom   and   Gomorrah. 

36.  What  did  the  rich  man  in  hell  say  concerning  himself.     Luke  16, 

the  last  clause  of  the  24th  verse?  "I  am  tormented  in  this 
flame." 

37.  In  vain  did  he  try  to  have  his  misery  relieved,  for  what  do  the 

Scriptures  teach  as  to  the  duration  of  punishment  in  the 
world  to  come?     It  is  eternal. 

38.  Let  us  now  continue  the  consideration  of  this  prayer.     Our  con- 

dition is  sad,  but  not  hopeless.  How  do  you  confess  to  feel 
about  your  sins?  I  am  heartily  sorry  for  them  all  and  repent 
of  them   truly. 

39.  Yes,  if  there  is  one  thing  that  should  make  us  feel  sad  it  is.  sin 

with  its  dreadful  consequences.  We  cannot  be  indifferent  to 
sin.  Why  should  we  feel  sorry  for  sin  when  we  think  of 
God,  our  dear  Father  in  heaven?  Because  it  grieves  and  of- 
fends Hirr 


LESSON  97.  333 

40.  And  why  should  we  feel  sorry  for  sin  when  we  think  of  its  effect 

upon   us?      It   makes   us    miserable,   and    brings    ruin   and    de- 
struction. 

41.  And  what  do  you  ask  of  God  in  this  prayer?     I   beseech   Him  to 

be  merciful  and  gracious  to  me  a  poor  sinner. 

42.  That  is,  what  do  you  ask  of  God  to  do  with  your  sins?     I  ask  Him 

to  forgive  them. 
4o.     But  how  can  you  expect  Him  to  forgive?     What  attribute  in  God 
is  it  that  makes  Him  willing  to  forgive?     His  infinite  mercy. 

44.  Why  is  God's  mercy  called  infinite?     Because  it  never  ends. 

45.  But  God  is  not  only  mei'ciful.  He  is  also  just.     Who  was  it  that 

satisfied  the  justice  of  God  and  made  it  possible  for  Him  to 
forgive?     It  was  Jesus  Christ. 
4C.     Who  is  .Jesus  Christ?     He  is  God's  dear  Son. 

47.  And  what  did  Christ  do  that  God  should  forgive  our  sins  for  His 

sake?     He  suffered  and  died  for  us. 

48.  What  is  here  said  of  th»  sufferings  and  death  of  Christ?     They 

are  called   holy,   innocent  and   bitter. 

49.  Why  are  they  called  holy?     What  does  holy  mean?     Holy  means 

pure,  without  sin. 

50.  Christ's  life  was  without  sin;   therefore,  what  are  His  sufferings 

and  death  called?     They  are  called   innocent. 

51.  That  is,  undeserved.     He  did  not  suffer  and  die  for  His  own  sins, 

for  He  had  none.     But  for  whose  sins  did  He  suffer  and  die? 
For  our  sins. 

52.  And    what  may   we  now   confidently  expect   since  Christ  by  His 

sufferings  and  death  made  atonement  for  our  sins?     We  may 
expect  that  God  will  forgive  them. 

53.  With  what  word  do  you  conclude  this  prayer?     With   the  word 

Amen. 

54.  What  does  the  word  Amen  mean?     It  means  yes. 

55.  What  do  we  confidently  express  by  this  word  Amen?     That  God 

will  surely  do  as  we  have  asked  him,  namely  forgive  our  sins. 


THE  OFFICE  OF  THE   KEYS. 

LESSON  97.     WHAT  IS  THE  OFFICE  OF  THE  KEYS? 

(Questions  374-378.) 

1.  What  is  the  subject  of  our  lesson  today?     The  office  of  the  keys. 

2.  (374)     "What  is  the  office  of  the  keys?"    "It  is  the  peculiar  church 

power  which  Christ  has  given  to  His  church  on  earth  to  for- 
give the  sins  of  penitent  sinners,  and  to  retain  the  sins  of 
the   impenitent,  so   long  as  they  do   not  repent." 

3.  The  oflSce  of  the  keys  is  the  power  to  do  what?     It  is  the  power 

to  forgive  or  retain  sins. 

4.  What  is  the  only  thing  that  can  keep  a  man  out  of  heaven?    Stn 

is  the  only  thing  that  can  keep  a  man  out  of  heaven. 

5.  What  must  be  done  with  sin  if  we  would  enter  heaven?     It  must 

be  forgiven. 

6.  The  forgiveness  of  sins  opens  the  door  to  heaven.     We  are  speak- 

ing of  the  oflfice  of  the  keys.  What  is  a  key  used  for?  a 
key  is  used  to  lock  or  unlock  doors. 

7.  Read   what   the   Savior   says  to  the  apostle  Peter,  Matth.  16,   19. 

"I  will  give  unto  thee  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven: 
and  whatsoever  thou  shalt  bind  on  earth  shall  be  bound  in 
heaven:  and  whatsoever  thou  shalt  loose  on  earth  shall  be 
loosed   in   heaven." 


334  LESSON  97, 

8.  What    keys    are    here    spoke   of?      The    keys    of    the    kingdom    of 

heaven. 

9.  The  kingdom  of  heaven  is  here  spoken  of  as  a  house.     How  do  we 

get  into  a  house?     Through  the  door. 

10.  But  what  must   l)e  done  with   the  door  before  we  can  enter?     It 

must  be  unlocked  and   opened. 

11.  Who,    usually,   has   possession    of   the    keys    to   the   house?     The 

owner  of  the  house. 

12.  So  C'hrist,  as'  the  owner  and  head  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  is 

the  only  one  who  can  forgive  sins  and  thus  open  the  door 
to  heaven.  But  the  owner  may  hand  the  keys  over  to  some 
one  else,  and  then,  who  has  charge  of  the  house?  The  one 
to  whom  the  keys  are  given. 

13.  The  word  office  here  means  service.     An  officer  is  one  who  has 

charge,  who  is  appointed  or  elected  to  do  certain  things. 
What  kind  of  peculiar  power  is  the  office  of  the  keys?  It  is 
the  peculiar  church   power. 

14.  It  is  not  a  political  power  but  a  church  power,  a  spiritual  power. 

From  whom  does  this  power  come?     It  comes  from  Christ. 

15.  What  does  Christ  say  of  Himself  Matth.  28,  18?     "All  power  is 

given  unto  me  in  heaven  and  earth." 

16.  To  whom  has  Christ  given  this  power?     He   has  given   it  to   His 

church  on  earth. 

17.  The   office  of   the   keys    is    the   power  to  forgive  or  retain  sins. 

Christ's  church  is  not  only  here  on  earth  but  also  in  heaven. 
Here  it  is  called  what  kingdom?     The  kingdom  of  grace. 

18.  And  what  is  it  called  in  heaven?    The  kingdom  of  glory. 

19.  Why  is  this  power  to  forgive  or  retain   sins  given  only  to  the 

church  on  earth?     Because  in  heaven  there  is  no  sin. 

20.  But  where  do  we  need  the  forgiveness  of  sins?     We  need  it  here 

on  earth. 

21.  (375)     "What   do   we   therefore   understand    by   the   office  of   the 

keys?"  "The  peculiar  church  power  which  Christ  has  given 
to  His  church  on  earth." 

22.  (470)     "What  is  this  peculiar  power  of  the  church?"     "To  forgive 

the  sins  of  penitent  sinners  (Loosing  key,  absolution),  to 
retain  the  sins  of  the  impenitent,  so  long  as  they  do  not  re- 
pent   (Binding    key,   or   ban)." 

23.  How  many  keys   are  here  spoken  of?     Two,  the   loosing  and   the 

binding   keys. 

24.  What  is  the  loosing  key  also  called?     It  is  called  absolution. 

25.  TTiat  means  forgiveness.     What   is  the  binding  key  also  called? 

It  is  called  the  ban. 

26.  To  ban  a  person  means  to  tell  him  that  his  sins  are  not  forgiven 

and  to  put  him  out  of  the  church.  What  is  to  be  done  with 
the  sins  of  penitent  sinners?     Their  sins  are  to  be  forgiven. 

27.  And  what  is  to  be  done  with  the  sins  of  the  impenitent  sinners? 

They  are  to   be  retained. 

28.  What  is  a  penitent  sinner?       One  who  is  sorry  for  his  sins,  who 

believes  in  Christ  and  is  willing  to  lead  a  better  life, 

29.  What  is  the  church  to  tell  such  a  penitent  sinner?     She  is  to  tell 

him   that   his  sins  are  forgiven. 

30.  And  what   is   she  to  tell   the  impenitent  sinner?     She    is  to  tell 

him  that  his  sins  are  not  forgiven. 

31.  And   how   long   shall   such   sinners   be  without  forgiveness?     So 

long  as  they  do   not  repent. 


LESSON  97.  336 

32.  Read  Matth.  18,  17-2(i.     "If  he  shall   neglect  to  hear  them,  tell   it 

unto  the  church:  but  if  he  neglect  to  hear  the  church,  let 
him  be  to  thee  as  a  heathen  man  and  a  publican.  Verily  I 
say  unto  you,  whatsoever  ye  shall  bind  on  earth  shall  be 
bound  in  heaven.  And  again  I  say  unto  you  that  if  two  of 
you  agree  on  earth  as  touching  anything  that  they  shall  ask, 
it  shall  be  done  for  them  of  my  Father  which  is  in  heaven. 
For  where  two  or  three  are  gathered  together  in  my  name, 
there  am   I   in  the  midst  of  them." 

33.  What   does    Christ   here   say   to   the   whole   church   about   binding 

and  loosing?  "Whatsoever  ye  shall  bind  on  earth  shall  be 
bound  in  heaven;  and  whatsoever  ye  shall  loose  on  earth 
shall   be   loosed   in   heaven." 

34.  This  power  He  gave  not   simply  to  the  apostle   Peter   but  to  the 

whole  company  of  believers,  even  though  but  two  or  three 
are  gathered  together  in  His  name.  Tell  me  from  the  last 
sentence  of  this  passage:  when  but  two  or  three  are  gath- 
ered together  in  Christ's  name,  who  is  in  the  midst  of  them? 
Christ  Himself  is  in  the  midst  of  them. 

35.  And  how  should  that  be  regarded  which  the  church  does  in  His 

name?     As  though  the  Savior  had  done   it  himself. 

36.  To   whom    has   Christ   given   the   office  of   the    keys,   that   is,   the 

power  to  forgive  and  retain  sins?  He  has  given  it  to  His 
church  on  earth. 

37.  (377)     "How  does  the  church  administer  this  office  of  the  keys?" 

"By  administering  the  Word   and   Sacraments." 

38.  When  the  church  preaches  the  Gospel  to  a  penitent  sinner,  what 

does  she  say  to  him  concerning  his  sins?  That  his  sins  are 
forgiven. 

39.  And  when  the  church  baptizes,  what  great  blessing  is  conferred? 

The  forgiveness  of  sins. 

40.  And  when  the  holy  communion  is  celel)rated,  what  great  blessing 

is  bestowed?     The  forgiveness   of  sins. 

41.  Read    Rom.    1,    lO.      "I    am    not   ashamed   of  the   Gospel    of   Christ: 

for  it  is  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation  to  every  one  that 
believeth." 

42.  What  is  the  Gospel  which   the  church  preaches  here  called?     It 

is  called  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation. 

43.  Yes,  because  it  brings  the  forgiveness  of  sins  and  eternal  salva- 

tion. Read  also  Luke  24.  46.  47.  "Thus  it  is  written,  and  thus 
it  behooved  Christ  to  suffer,  and  to  rise  from  the  dead  the 
third  day:  and  that  repentance  and  remission  of  sins  should 
be   preached   in    His  name,  among  all   nations." 

44.  Christ    has    given   His   Word    to    the    church.      What    should    the 

church  do  with  this  Word?  It  should  preach  the  Word,  to  all 
nations. 

45.  But  he  also  gave   the  sacraments   to   the  church.     What    should 

the  church  do  with  the  sacraments?  She  should  administer 
the  sacraments. 

46.  (378)      "Through    whom    should    the    church    do    this    publicly?" 

"Through  the  ministers  of  the  Word,  who  are  called  by  the 
church  to  do  this,  according  to  the  command  of  Christ." 

47.  Who  are  the  ministei's  of  the  Word?     The   ministers  of  the   Gos- 

pel, or  pastors. 

48.  What   are   the   ministei's   of   the   Gospel   called    to   do?      They   are 

called  to  preach  the  Word  of  God  and  to  administer  the  Sac- 
raments. 

49.  By   whom   are    they   called   to   <lo   this?     They   are   called    by   the 

church. 


336  LESSON  98. 

50.  And  at  whose  command  does  the  church  call  them?     At  the  com- 

mand of  Christ. 

51.  Repeat   Rom.    10,    15.      "How    shall    they    preach    except    they    be 

sent?" 

52.  Read  also  Jer.  23,  21.  and  see  what  the  Lord  says  of  false  proph- 

ets. "I  have  not  sent  these  prophets,  yet  they  ran:  I  have 
not  spoken  to  them,  yet  they  prophesied." 

53.  But  true  prophets  are  called  and  sent  of  God  by  the  church.     Re- 

peat ,1  Cor.  12,  29.  "Are  all  apostles?  are  all  teachers?  are 
all   workers  of  miracles? 

54.  Also  James   3.   1.     "My   brethren,   be   not   many   masters,   knowing 

that  ye  shall    receive  the   greater  condemnation. 

55.  Masters  here  means  teachers,  or  pastors.     Not  every  one  should 

take  it  upon  himself  to  teach  publicly:  for  there  is  a  very 
great  responsibility  connected  with  public  preaching.  Read 
also  Hebrew  5,  4.  "No  man  taketh  this  honor  to  himself,  but 
he  that  is  called  of  God,  as  was  Aaron." 

56.  A  minister  should  be  called  of  God  through  the  church,  as  we  see 

from  1  Cor.  4.  ].  "Let  a  man  so  account  of  us  as  the  minis- 
ters of  Christ  and  stewards  of  the  mysteries  of  Christ," 

57.  Also  Acts   20,   28.     "Take   heed   therefore   unto  yourselves  and   to 

all  the  flock  over  the  which  the  Holy  Ghost  hath  made  you 
overseers,  to  feed  the  church  of  God,  which  he  hath  pur- 
chased with   his  own   blood." 

58.  The   men   whom   the  apostle  here  addresses  were  called   by   the 

church  as  preachers  and  pastors,  and  yet  the  apostle  says 
that  another  made  them  overseers  of  the  flock  of  God, 
namely,  who?     The  Holy  Ghost. 


LESSON  98.     WHAT   DO  YOU    BELIEVE    IN   ACCORDANCE 
WITH    THESE    WORDS? 

(Questions  379-384). 

1.  (379)     "What  are  the  words  of  our  T^ord  .Jesus  Christ  concerning 

the  Office  of  the  Keys?"  "Thus  writes  the  holy  Evangelist 
John  in  the  twentieth  chapter:  "The  Lord  Jesus  breathed 
on  His  disciples,  and  saith  unto  them,  Receive  ye  the  Holy 
Ghost."  Whose  soever  sins  ye  remit,  they  are  remitted  unto 
them;    and  whose  soever  sins  ye  retain,  they  are  retained." 

2.  Who  spoke  these  words?     Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

3.  Where  do  we  find  them  recorded?     In  the  Gospel  of  St.  John,  in 

the  twentieth  chapter. 

4.  Turn   to   this   chapter   and   tell   me   in   which   vei'ses    do    we   find 

these  words.     In  verses  22  and  23. 

5.  To  whom  did  the  Savior  address  these. words?     To  His  disciples. 

6.  What  did  He  give  them  under  the  visible  sign  of  breathing  on 

them?     He  gave  them  the  Holy  Ghost. 

7.  Having  given  them  the  Holy  Ghost,  what  did  He  say  to  them? 

Whosesoever  sins  ye  remit,  they  are  remitted  unto  them; 
and  whosesoever  sins  ye  retain,  they  are  retained. 

8.  (380)     "What  do  you  believe  in  accordance  with   these  words?" 

"I  believe  that  when  the  called  ministers  of  Christ  by  His 
divine  command  deal  with  us,  particularly  when  they  ex- 
clude the  manifest  and  impenitent  sinners  from  the  Chris- 
tian congregation,  and,  again,  absolve  those  who  repent  of 
their  sins  and  are  willing  to  amend,  that  this  is  as  valid  and 
certain,  also  in  heaven,  as  if  Christ,  our  dear  Lord,  had 
dealt  with  us   Himself." 


LESSON  98.  337 

9.     Who  deals  with  us  in  this  office  of  the  keys?     The  called  minis- 
ters of  Christ. 

10.  And  how  do  they  deal  with  us?     By  His  divine  command. 

11.  By  whom   are  the   ministers  of  Christ  called  thus  to  deal   with 

us?     They  are  called  by  Christ. 

12.  Through   whom   does  Christ  call   the  ministers?      He  calls  them 

through  the  church. 

13.  What  are  the  ministers  of  Christ  to  do  in  accordance  with  the 

words  of  Christ?     They  are  to   retain  and  forgive  sins. 

14.  (08I)     "Can  ministers  then  forgive  and  retain  sins?"     "Yes,  God 

does   it   through   them." 

15.  Against  whom  is  all  sin  an  offense?     All  sin  is  an  offense  against 

God. 

16.  Then  who  alone  can  forgive  sin?     God   alone  can  forgive  sin. 

17.  Read   what   the   scribes   said   when   the   Savior  forgave  the   sins 

of  the  poor  man  who  was  sick  of  the  palsy.  Mark  2,  7. 
"Who  can  forgive  sins  but  God  only?" 

18.  They  were  right  in  this,  but  they  overlooked  the  fact  that  Christ 

is   God.     He   alone   can   accordingly   forgive  sins   and   thus 

unlock  the  door  to  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  But  what  may 

the  owner  of  the  house  do  with  the  keys?  He  may  give 
them  to  another. 

19.  And  this,  we  read  in  Matt.  16,  19,  is  what  Jesus  did.     Repeat  the 

passage.  "I  will  give  unto  thee  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  of 
heaven;  and  whatsoever  thou  shalt  bind  on  earth  shall  be 
bound  in  heaven;  and  whatsoever  thou  shalt  loose  on  earth 
shall  be  loosed   in   heaven." 

20.  What   He   here   says   to    St.    Peter   He   says    to   all    the   apostles, 

John  20,  23.  Let  us  hear  the  passage  again.  "Whosesoever 
sins  ye  remit,  they  are  remitted  unto  them;  and  whose- 
soever sins  ye  retain,  they  are  retained." 

21.  Read  also  what  St.   Paul  says,   2  Cor.   2,   10.     "For   if   I    forgave 

anything  to  whom  I  forgave  it,  for  your  sakes  forgave  I  it 
in  the  person  of  Christ." 

22.  When  the   apostle   forgave   sins,   as    the   representative   of  what 

person,  or  in  whose  name,  did  he  act?  He  acted  in  the  name 
of  Christ. 

23.  When  the  Savior  sent  forth  His  disciples  to  preach  the  Gospel, 

He  sent  them  to  declare  or  preach  the  forgiveness  of  sins, 
as  we  see  from  Luke  24,  46.  47.  "Thus  it  is  written,  and 
thus  it  behooved  Christ  to  suffer,  and  to  rise  from  the  dead 
the  third  day:  and  that  repentance  and  remission  of  sins 
should  be  preached  in  his  name  among  all  nations,  be- 
ginning  at   Jerusalem." 

24.  That  ministers  of  the   Gospel  are  ambassadors   for   Christ,   act- 

ing in  His  stead,  we  see  from  2  Cor.  5,  18-20.  "All  things 
are  of  God,  who  hath  reconciled  us  to  himself  by  Jesus 
Christ,  and  hath  given  to  ua  the  ministry  of  reconciliation; 
To  wit,  that  God  was  in  Christ,  reconciling  the  word  unto 
himself,  not  imputing  their  trespasses  unto  them;  and 
hath  committed  unto  us  the  word  of  reconciliation.  Now 
then  we  are,  ambassadors  for  Christ,  as  though  God  did 
beseech  you  by  us;  we  pray  you  in  Christ's  stead,  be  ye 
reconciled  to  God." 

22 


338  LESSON  98. 

25.  Read  also  2  Cor.  3,  6-8.     "Who  also  hath  made  us  able  ministers 

of  the  new  testament;  not  of  the  letter,  but  of  the  spirit; 
for  the  letter  killeth,  but  the  spirit  giveth  life.  But  if  the 
ministration  of  death  written  and  engraven  in  stones,  was 
glorious,  so  that  the  children  of  Israel  could  not  steadfastly 
behold  the  face  of  Moses  for  the  glory  of  his  countenance; 
which  glory  was  to  be  done  away;  How  shall  not  the  minis- 
tration  of  the   spirit   be   rather   glorious?" 

26.  Who  is  if  accordingly  that  act  in  Christ's  stead  when  they  for- 

give or  retain  sins?     The  ministers  of  the  Gospel. 

27.  (382)      "With    what   must    they   accordingly    comply    in   the   exer- 

cise of  this  power?"     "With  the  word  and  command  of  God." 

28.  When  a  man  does  a  thing  through  an  agent,  what  does  he  ex- 

pect his  agent  to  carry  out?  He  expects  him  to  carry  out 
his  instructions,  his  command. 

29.  (383)      "When  do  they  comply  with  it?"     "When  they  exclude  the 

manifest  and  impenitent  sinners  from  the  Christian  con- 
gregation, and,  again,  absolve  those  who  repent  of  their 
sins  and   are  willing   to   amend." 

30.  What  kind  of  sinners  are  to  be  excluded  from  the  Christian  con- 

gregation?    The  manifest  and  impenitent  sinners. 

31.  Manifest  sinners  are  those  whose  sins  are  open  and  public,  who 

live  in  open  sin  and  shame,  such  as  drunkenness,  theft, 
adultery  and  murder.  What  are  impenitent  sinners?  Those 
who  are  not  sorry  for  their  sins,  and  have  no  intention  of 
leaving  off  and  doing  better. 

32.  What  should   be   done   with    such    people?     They   should    be   put 

out   of  the   church. 

33.  But  what  should  we  do  with   them  before  we   put  them  out  of 

the  church?     We  should  admonish  them  to  repent. 

34.  Yes,  this  we  see  from   Matt.   18,  15-17.     "Moreover  if  thy  brother 

shall  trespass  against  thee,  go  and  tell  him  his  fault  be- 
tween him  and  thee  alone;  if  he  shall  hear  thee,  thou  hast 
gained  thy  brother.  But  if  he  will  not  hear  thee,  then  take 
with  thee  one  or  two  more,  that  in  the  mouth  of  two  or 
three  witnesses  every  word  may  be  established,  and  if  he 
shall  neglect  to  hear  them,  tell  it  unto  the  church.  But  if 
he  neglect  to  hear  the  church  let  him  be  unto  thee  as  an 
heathen    man   and   a   publican." 

35.  What  should  we  do  first  with  a  brother  who  sins?     We  should  go 

to  him  and  tell   him  of  his  fault  between   him   and   us  alone. 

36.  And  if  he  repent,  what  should  we  do?     We  should  forgive  him. 

37.  But  if  he  will  not  hear  us — if  he  does  not  repent,  what  should 

we  do  next?  We  should  take  one  or  two  with  us  and  talk 
to   him. 

38.  If  he  now  repents,  what  should  we  do?     We  should  forgive  him. 

39.  But  if  he  still  will  not  repent,   what  should  we   then  do?     We 

should  tell   it  to  the  Church. 

40.  Yes;   we  should  then  make  the  matter  public  and  let  the  whole 

congregation  admonish  him.  If  he  hears  the  church,  what 
should  be  done?     We  should  forgive  him. 

41.  But  if  he  refuses  even  to  hear  the  church,  how  should  such  a 

person  be  regarded?    As  a  heathen  man  and  a  publican. 

42.  Yes,  and  a  heathen  has  no  place  in  a  Christian  congregation;    he 

should  be  put  out.  And  how  long  should  such  a  person 
be  kept  out  of  the  fellowship  of  the  congregation,  that  is, 
kept  from  communion,  and  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of 
the  church?     So  long  as  he  does  not  repent. 


LESSON  99.  339 


43.  So   we   read   in   1    Cor.    5,    ll-lo.     "If   any   man   that    is   called   a 

brother  be  a  fornicator,  or  covetous,  or  an  idolater,  or  a 
railer,  or  a  drunkard,  or  an  extortioner;  with  such  an  one 
no  not  to  eat.  For  what  have  I  to  do  to  judge  them  also 
that  are  without?  do  not  ye  judge  that  are  within?  But 
them  that  are  without  God  judgeth.  Therefore  put  away 
from  among  yourselves  that  wicked  person." 

44.  But  suppose  such  a  person   alter  a  while  repents   and  aslvs  the 

forgiveness  of  the  church,  what  should  he  done?  He  should 
be  forgiven  and  received   again. 

45.  This  we  see  from  2  Cor.  ('>.  <S.     "Sufficient  to  such  a  man   is  the 

punishment,  which  was  inflicted  of  many.  So  that  con- 
trariwise ye  ought  rather  to  forgive  him,  and  comfort  him, 
lest  perhaps  such  an  one  should  be  swallowed  up  with 
overmuch  sorrow.  Wherefore  I  beseech  you  that  ye  would 
confirm  your  love  toward  him." 

46.  We  have  seen  what  is  to  be  done  with  the  impenitent  sinners. 

But  what  is  to  be  done  with  those  who  repent  of  their  sins 
and  are  willing  to  amend?     They  are  to  be  absolved. 

47.  What  does  this  mean?     Their  sins  are  to  be  forgiven. 

48.  What  then    are  the  called   ministers   of  Christ  to   do  by  his  di- 

vine command?  They  are  to  forgive  the  sins  of  the  peni- 
tent sinners  and  to   retain  the  sins  of  the   impenitent. 

49.  (384)     "What    should    we    firmly   believe    with   respect   to   this?" 

"That  this  is  as  valid  and  certain,  also  in  heaven,  as  if  Christ, 
our  dear  Lord,  had  dealt  with   us   Himself." 

50.  So  we  read.  Matt.   18,  18.     "Verily,    I   say  unto  you,   Whatsoever 

ye  shall  bind  on  earth  shall  be  bound  in  heaven;  and  what- 
soever ye   shall    loose   on   earth   shall    be    loosed    in    heaven." 


THE   FIFTH  CHIEF   PART  OF  THE  CATECHISM,  OR 
LORD'S  SUPPER. 

LESSON   99.      WHAT    IS   THE   SACRAMENT    OF   THE    ALTAR? 

(Questions   385-389). 

1.  Into  how  many  chief  parts  is  the  Catechism  divided?     The  Cate- 

chism  is  divided  into  five  chief  parts. 

2.  Mention  these  five  chief  parts.     The   Holy  Ten   Commandments, 

the   Christian    Creed,  the   Lord's    Prayer,    Holy   Baptism    and 
the   Lord's  Supper. 
J.     (385)     "What   is  the   fifth   chief  part   of  the   Catechism?"     "The 
Sacrament  of  the  Altar,  or  the   Lord's  Supper." 

4.  Here  we  have  two  names  given;    which  is  the  first?     The  Sacra- 

ment of  the  Altar. 

5.  How  many  sacraments  have  we  in  the  New  Testament?     Two: 

Holy    Baptism    and    the    Lord's   Supper. 

3.  (386)     "Why  do  we  call  the  other  Sacrament  of  the  New  Testa- 

ment the  Lord's  Supper?"  "Because  our  Lord  and  Savior 
Jesus  Christ  instituted  it  in  the  evening,  before  His  suffer- 
ings and  death." 

7.  What  time  of  day  was  it  when  Jesus  instituted  this  sacrament? 

It  was   in   the  .evening. 

8.  Which  evening  was  it?     The  evening  before   His  sufferings  and 

death. 


340  LESSON  99. 

9.  Read  from  the  26th  chapter  of  Matthew,  beginning  with  the  19th 
and  ending  with  the  20th  verse.  "The  disciples  did  as  Jesus 
had  appointed  them;  and  they  made  ready  the  passover. 
Now  when  the  even  was  come,  he  sat  down  with  the  twelve." 

10.  It  was   Easter  time,   the  Jewish  Passover.     What  feast  did  the 

Savior  keep  with  his  disciples?     The  feast  of  the  passover. 

11.  In   honor  of  what  event  was  this  feast  kept?     In   honor  of  the 

deliverance  of  the  children  of  Israel  from  the  bondage  of 
Egypt. 

12.  This   was  the  great  festival  of  the  Old  Testament.     What  were 

the  two  sacraments  of  the  Old  Testament?  (338)  Circum- 
cision and  the  passover. 

13.  Christ  established  the  New  Testament,  and  what  sacrament  did 

he  institute  in  place  of  the  passover?     The  Lord's  Supper. 

14.  (387)     "Why  do  we  also  call  it  the  Sacrament  of  the  Altar?"  "Be- 

cause, according  to  an  ancient  custom  of  the  Christian 
Church,   it   Is  usually  celebrated   at  an   altar." 

15.  Where  do  we  have  altars?     In  our  churches. 

16.  We  have  three  means  of  grace  in  the  church,  the  Word  of  God, 

Holy  Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper.  And  so  we  have 
three  especially  sacred  places  in  our  churches.  What  place 
is  especially  set  apart  for  the  preaching  of  the  Word  of 
God?     The  pulpit. 

17.  What  place  is  especially  set  apart  for  Baptism?     The  baptismal 

font. 

18.  And   what   place   is    especially   set   apart   for   the   celebration   of 

the  Lord's  Supper?    The  altar. 

19.  But  we   do   not   always    celebrate   the   Lord's   Supper   in    church 

and  at  the  altar.  In  case  of  sickness  and  old  age,  where 
do  we  celebrate  it?     We  celebrate  it  in  our  houses. 

20.  (388)     "What  is  the  Sacrament  of  the  Altar?"    "It  is  the  true  body 

and  blood  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  under  the  bread  and 
wine,  for  us  Christians  to  eat  and  to  drink,  instituted  by 
Christ    Himself." 

21.  The  Sacrament  of  the  Altar  is  a  very  sacred  tiling.     Something 

that  is  most  intimately  connected  with  our  I.,ord  Jesus  Christ. 
How  is  it  connected  witli  Him?  It  is  His  true  body  and 
blood. 

22.  Whose   bod-y  and   blood   is   it?      It   is  the   body   and    blood   of  our 

Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
-  23.     Under   what  outward   things   are   the   body   and   blood   of  Christ 
given  us  in  the  sacrament?     Under  the  bread  and  wine. 

24.  For  what  purpose  are  they  given  to  us?     For  us  to  eat  and  drink. 

25.  To  what  kind  of  people  is  this  sacrament  given?     To  us  Chris- 

tians. 

26.  By  whom  was   this   sacrament   instituted?     It  was    instituted    by 

Christ   Himself. 

27.  (389)      "Where  is  this  written?"     "The  holy  Evangelists,  Matthew, 

Mark,  Luke  and  St.  Paul  write  thus:  "Our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  the  same  night  in  which  He  was  betrayed,  took 
bread;  and  when  He  had  given  thanks.  He  brake  it  and  gave 
it  to  His  disciples  and  said,  Take,  eat;  this  is  my  body  which 
is  given  for  you:  this  do  in  remembrance  of  me.  After  the 
same  manner  also  He  took  the  cup,  when  He  had  supped, 
gave  thanks  and  gave  it  to  them,  saying.  Take,  drink  ye 
all  of  it;  this  cup  is  the  new  testament  in  my  blood,  which 
is  shed  for  you  for  the  remission  of  sins:  this  do  ye  as  oft 
as  ye  drink  it,  in  remembrance  of  me." 


LESSON   99.  341 

28.  How  many  times  is  the  institution  of  tlie  Lord's  Supper  recorded 

in  the  New  Testament?     It  is  recorded  four  times. 

29.  In   what    three   Gospels  have   we   a   record   of  the   institution   of 

the  Lord's  Supper?  In  the  Gospels  of  Matthew,  Mark  and 
Luke. 

30.  The  fourth  record  we  have  in  the  first  epistle  of  St.  Paul  to  the 

Corinthians,  chapter  11,  verses  23  to  25.  Who,  according 
to  the  words  of  the  institution  gave  us  this  sacrament? 
Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

31.  When  did  He  do  this?    The  same  night  in  which  He  was  betrayed. 

32.  What  did  He  tal\e  as  one  of  the  earthly  elements  in  the  holy 

Supper?     He  took  bread. 

33.  They   had  just   finished   the   passover   meal.     And   at   this    meal 

they  ate  unleavened  bread.  What  did  the  Savior  do  with 
the  bread?     When   He  had  given  thanks   He  broke  it. 

34.  He  gave  thanks,  that  is,  He  offered  prayer  and  thus  blessed  the 

bread.  The  bread  was  in  large,  round  cakes,  and  so  He 
broke  it  in  pieces  for  distribution.  And  then  what  did  He 
do  with  it?     He  gave  it  to  His  disciples. 

35.  And  what  did   He  say  as  He  gave  them   the  bread?     He  said: 

Take,  eat,  this  is  my  body  which   is  given  for  you. 

36.  What  did  He  call  that  which  He  gave  them?     He  called  it   His 

body. 

37.  What  did  He  say  of  His  body?     He  said  "which  is  given  for  you." 

38.  How  was  His  body  given  for  them  and  for  us?     It  was  given  into 

death. 

39.  For  what  purpose  were  they  to  do  this?     They  were  to 'do   it  in 

remembrance  of  Him. 

40.  What  are   we  to   remember   as   to  his   person?     That   he    is   the 

son  of  God,  and  our  Savior. 

41.  And  what  are  we  to  remember  about  his  work?    That  he  suffered 

and  died  for  us. 

42.  In  the  same  way,  what  did  he  take?     He  took  the  cup. 

43.  At   the   passover  meal   they   drank   grape   wine.      What   did    the 

Savior  do  with  this  cup  or  the  wine  in  the  cup?  He  gave 
thanks  and  gave  it  to  them. 

44.  What  did  He  say  as  he  gave  it  to  them?    Take,  drink  ye  all  of  it. 

45.  And  what  did  He  call  this  cup?     He  called  it  the  New  Testament 

of  His  blood. 

46.  The  blood  of  the  Old  Testament  was  the  blood  of  the  animals 

that  were  sacrificed.  But  what  is  the  blood  of  the  New 
Testament?     The  blood  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

47.  What  did  the  Savior  say  of  His  blood?     It  is  shed  for  us. 

48.  How  was   Christ's   blood  shed  for  us?     When    He   was  crowned 

with   thorns,   scourged   and   crucified. 

49.  What  was   the   purpose   of  the   shedding  of  His   blood?      It  was 

shed  for  the  remission  of  sins. 

50.  What  did  the  Savior  finally  say?     "This  do,  as  oft  as  ye  drink 

it,  in  remembrance  of  me." 

51.  This  holy  sacrament  is  not,  like  Baptism,  to  be  administered  once 

only,  but  what  does  the  Savior  say  of  its  use?  We  should 
do  this  often. 


342  LESSON    lOO. 

LESSON    100.     THE    EARTHLY    ELEMENTS. 

(Questions  390-394). 

1.  (390)      "Who  has   accordingly   instituted   the   Holy   Supper?  '  "Our 

Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  faithful,  almighty  and  omnipresent 
God-Man." 

2.  This  we  gee  from  the  words  of  institution.     How  do  these  words 

begin?  "Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  same  night  in  which 
He   was   betrayed." 

3.  Who  is  Jesus   Christ?     He   is  true   God,   begotten   of  the   Father 

from  eternity,  and  also  true  man,  born  of  the  virgin  Mary, 
my    Lord. 

4.  Read  in  this  connection  Rom.  9,  5.     "Whose  are  the  fathers,  and 

of  whom  as  concerning  the  flesh  Christ  came,  who  is  over 
all,  God  blessed  for  ever,  Amen." 

5.  As  true  God,  Jesus  has  what  attributes?     He  is  eternal,  almighty, 

omnipresent,  omniscient,  holy,  righteous,  merciful  and 
truthful. 

6.  Which  of  these  attributes  are  especially  mentioned   in   question 

390?     Faithful,  almighty   and   omnipresent. 

7.  What  does  it  mean   when   we  say  Jesus  is  faithful?     He   keeps 

His  word. 

8.  Yes,   He  does   what  He   says.     When  He   says   a   thing,  we  can 

depend  on  it.  When  He  says  He  gives  us  His  body  and 
blood  in  the  holy  sacrament,  we  can  depend  on  it  that  He 
will  do  what  He  says.  What  does  He  say  of  Himself,  Joh. 
14,  6?  "Jesus  saith  unto  him,  'I  am  the  way,  the  truth,  and 
the  life;    no  man  cometh  to  the  Father  but  by  me.'" 

9.  He  is  the  truth.     But  He  is  also  almighty,  and  what  does  that 

mean?  It  means  that  He  can  do  anything  that  He  wants 
to  do. 

10.  He  is  true  God,  and  what  is  said  of  God  in  Luke  1,  37?     "With 

God  nothing  shall   be  impossible." 

11.  Some  people  ask   how   Christ   can   give   us   his  body  to  eat  and 

his  blood  to  drink  in  the  Holy  Supper.  What  do  we  answer 
to   this   question?     Christ   is   almighty;    He   can   do  anything. 

12.  Read  also  Eph.  3,  20.     "Now  unto  him  that  is  able  to  do  exceed- 

ing abundantly  above  all  that  we  ask  or  think,  according  to 
the  power  that  worketh   in  us." 

13.  What  other  divine  attribute  of  Christ  is  mentioned  in  question 

390?     He  is  omnipresent. 

14.  And  what  does  this  mean?     It  means  that  He  is  everywhere  pres- 

ent at  the  same  time. 

15.  The   Lord's    Supper   is   celebrated   in   many    places   at   the   same 

time  and  some  people  ask:  "How  can  Christ's  body  be  given 
and  received  at  all  these  different  places?"  What  do  we 
answer  to  this?  We  answer,  Christ  is  omnipresent.  He  is 
everywhere  at  the  same  time. 

16.  Read  Eph.  4,  19.     "He  that  descended  is  the  same  that  ascended 

up  far  above  all   heavens,  that  he  might  fill  all  things." 

17.  (391)     "What,  according  to  His  word,  do  we  receive  in  the  Holy 

Supper?"  "Something  earthly,  namely  bread  and  wine;  and 
something   heavenly,   namely   His   holy  body  and   blood." 

18.  How  many  kinds  of  elements,  or  objects,  are  we  to  consider  in 

the  Holy  Supper?     Two,  the  earthly  and  the  heavenly. 

19.  What  are  the  earthly  elements?     Bread  and  wine. 

20.  And  what  are  the  heavenly  elements?     His  body  and  blood. 


LESSON    lOO.  343 

21.  (392)     "What   kind  of  bread  must   be  used  in  the  Holy  Supper?" 

"Real  bread,  baked  of  flour  and  water,  be  It  otherwise  con- 
stituted as  It  may." 

22.  Of  what  is  bread  made?     Out  of  flour  and  water. 

23.  What  kind  of  bread  did  the  Savior  use  at  the  first  sacrament? 

He  used  unleavened   bread. 

24.  How  do  you  know  this?     It  was  the  time  of  the  Jewish  passover. 

And  during  this  season  the  Jews  used  only  unleavened  bread. 

25.  We   also  use   unleavened   bread  in   the   holy   communion,  in   the 

form  of  little  round  wafers.  We  might  use  common  bread, 
but  the  wafers  are  much  more  convenient  for  distribution, 
and  they  are  real  bread;  for  of  what  are  they  baked?  Of 
flour  and  water. 

26.  We  might  use  ordinary  bread  in  the  holy  communion,  but  why 

do  we  prefer  to  use  wafers?  Because  they  are  unleavened 
bread,  and  because  they  are  more  convenient  for  distribution. 

27.  (393)     "What  kind  of  wine  must  be  used?"     "Real  wine:    a  fruit 

of  the  grape  vine." 

28.  The  Savior  used  real  wine,  that  is,  the  fruit  of  the  vine,  as  we 

see  from  Matt.  26,  29.  "But  I  say  unto  you,  I  will  not  drink 
henceforth  of  this  fruit  of  the  vine,  until  that  day  when  I 
drink  it  new  with   you   in  my   Father's  kingdom." 

29.  It  may  be  white,  yellow  or  red,  but  it  must  be  grape  wine.     Read 

also  Luke  22,  18.  "For  I  say  unto  you,  i  will  not  drink  of 
the  fruit  of  the  vine,  until  the  kingdom  of  God  shall  come." 

30.  We  must  not  depart  from  the  order  of  Christ.     It  would  be  wrong 

to  use  any  other  liquid,  such  as  raisin  water,  milk,  or  the 
juice  of  any  other  fruit,  except  grapes.  For  what  did  Jesus 
use?     He  used  grape  wine. 

31.  (394)     "What  should  be  done  with  this  bread  and  wine?"     "Both 

should  be  consecrated,  and  given  to  all  communicants  to 
eat  and  to  drink." 

32.  To  consecrate  a   thing  means  to  bless  it,  to   set  it   apart  for  a 

holy  purpose.  What  is  to  be  done  with  bread  and  wine 
before  they  are  given  to  the  communicants,  that  is,  to  the 
people  who  come  to  communion?  They  are  to  be  blessed 
or  consecrated. 

33.  This  is  done  by  repeating  the  words  of  the  institution  and  the 

Lord's  Prayer.  After  they  are  thus  blessed,  what  is  to  be 
done  with  the  bread  and  wine?  They  are  to  be  given  to  the 
communicants  to  eat  and  drink. 

34.  The  Roman  Catholics,  when  they  celebrate  the  holy  communion, 

give  the  people  only  half  of  the  sacrament.  The  people 
receive  only  the  bread,  and  the  priest  alone  receives  both. 
From  Matthew  26,  27  we  see  this  is  contrary  to  the  institu- 
tion of  Christ.  "He  took  the  cup  and  gave  thanks,  and  gave 
it  to  them,  saying,   Drink  ye  all   of  it." 

35.  Read   also   Mark   14,    23.     "He   took    the   cup,   and    when    He    had 

given  thanks,   He  gave   it  to  them  and  they  all   drank  of   it." 

36.  Also  1   Cor.   11,   23-26.     "I    have   received   of  the    Lord   that   which 

also  I  delivered  unto  you,  that  the  Lord  Jesus  the  same  night 
in  which  He  was  betrayed  took  bread;  and  when  He  had 
given  thanks  he  brake  it  and  said,  take,  eat,  this  is  my  body, 
which  is  broken  for  you;  this  do  in  remembrance  of  me. 
After  the  same  manner  also  he  took  the  cup,  when  he  had 
supped,  saying,  This  cup  is  the  new  testament  of  my  blood; 
this  do  ye,  as  oft  as  ye  drink  it,  in  remembrance  of  me. 
For  as  often  as  ye  eat  this  bread,  and  drink  this  cup,  ye  do 
show  the  Lord's  death  till  he  come." 


344  LESSON    lOI. 

o7.  As  though  in  protest  against  the  abuse  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
church,  what  did  the  Savior  say  when  he  gave  the  disciples 
the  cup?  Matthew  26,  27.  "He  took  the  cup  and  gave 
thanks,  and  gave  it  to  them,  saying,  Drink  ye  all  of  it." 

38.  When  the  Roman  Catholics  celebrate  what  they  call  the  mass, 

they  do  not  give  anything  to  the  people.  The  priest  cele- 
brates the  sacrament  all  alone  and  the  people  merely  look 
on.  They  contend  this  is  an  offering  for  sin.  But  there  is 
only  one  offering  for  sin,  and  what  is  that?  The  death  of 
our  Savior,  Jesus  Christ. 

39.  Repeat   Heb.   10,    18.     "Now  where    remission   of  these   is,  there 

is  no  more  offering  of  sin." 

40.  Christ  offered  his  life  for  the  sins  of  the  world,  and  there  is  no 

need  of  a  repetition  of  this  offering,  as  we  see  from  Heb. 
10,  11,  12  and  14.  "Every  priest  standeth  daily  ministering 
and  offering  oftentimes  the  same  sacrifice  which  can  never 
take  away  sins.  But  this  man,  after  he  had  offered  one 
sacrifice  for  sins  forever,  sat  down  on  the  right  hand  of 
God.  For  by  one  offering  He  hath  perfected  forever  them 
that  are  sanctified." 

41.  The   Romanists    claim   that   their  mass   is   an   unbloody   sacrifice 

for  sin.  But  what  does  the  apostle  say,  Heb.  9,  22.  "With- 
out shedding   of  blood    is  no   remission." 

42.  Read  also  Heb.  9.  2.5-28.     "Nor  yet  that  he  should  offer  himself 

often,  as  the  high  priest  entereth  into  the  holy  place  every 
year  with  blood  of  others;  for  then  must  he  often  have 
suffered  since  the  foundation  of  the  world;  but  now  once 
in  the  end  of  the  world  hath  he  appeared  to  put  away  sin 
by  the  sacrifice  of  himself.  And  as  it  is  appointed  unto 
men  once  to  die,  but  after  this  the  judgment.  So  Christ  was 
once  offered  to  bear  the  sins  of  many;  and  unto  them  that 
look  for  him  shall  he  appear  the  second  time  without  sin 
unto  salvation." 

43.  The  Romish  doctrine  of  the  mass  is  a  perfect  abomination,  for  it 

not  only  perverts  the  holy  sacrament,  but  it  belittles  the 
perfect  sacrifice  of  Christ  offering  up  Himself  once  for  all 
for  the  sins  of  the  world.  The  Romanists  worship  the  conse- 
crated ..wafer  when  it  is  placed  on  the  altar,  and  the  con- 
secrated wine  when  the  priest  holds  it  up  to  the  view  of 
the  congregation.  The  Savior  did  not  say:  Take  and  wor- 
ship, but  what  did  He  say?  Take  and  eat,  and  take  and 
drink. 


LESSON    101.     THE    HEAVENLY    ELEMENTS. 

(Questions   395-401). 

What  are  the  earthly  and  visible  objects,  or  elements,  in  the 
Lord's  Supper?     Bread  and  wine. 

And  what  are  the  heavenly  elements?  The  body  and  blood  of 
•Christ. 

(395)  "What  body  and  blood  of  Christ  do  we  receive  in  the 
Holy  Supper."  "His  true  body,  which  on  the  cross  was  given 
into  death  for  us;  and  His  true  blood,  which  He  shed  for 
the  forgiveness  of  our  sins." 


LESSON    lOI. 


345 


4  Read  what  the  Savior  Himself  says.  Luke  22,  19.  20.  "He  took 
bread  and  gave  thanks,  and  brake  it,  and  gave  unto  them, 
saying.  This  is  my  body  which  is  given  for  you:  this  do 
in  remembrance  of  me.  Likewise  also  the  cup  after  sup- 
per, saying:  This  cup  is  the  new  testament  in  my  blood, 
which   is  shed  for  you." 

5.  Which  body  of  Christ  was  given  on  the  cross  for  us  into  death? 

His  real,  true  body. 

6.  And   which   blood   of  Christ  did   he  shed  for  the  forgiveness   of 

our  sins?     His  real,  true  blood. 

7  (396)      "Whence  do  we  know  this?"   "Christ  Himself,  in  the  words 

of  institution,  explicitly  tells  us  that  with  the  bread  He 
gives  us  His  body  to  eat,  and  with  the  wine.  His  blood  to 
drink." 

8  If  we   would   know   the   truth   about  the   Holy   Supper,   we   must 

pay  due  heed  to  the  words  which  Christ  spoke  when  he 
instituted  it.  When  he  gave  the  disciples  the  bread,  what 
did  he  say?  He  said:  Take,  eat,  this  is  my  body. 
9.  And  when  he  gave  them  the  cup,  what  did  he  say?  He  said: 
Drink  ye  all  of  it;  this  cup  is  the  new  testament  in  my 
blood. 

10.  Or  as  St.  Matthew  records  the  words,  Matthew  26,  27.  28.       He 

took  the  cup,  and  gave  thanks,  and  gave  it  to  them,  saying. 
Drink  ye  all  of  it;  for  this  is  my  blood  of  the  new  testament, 
which  is  shed  for  many  for  the   remission  of  sins." 

11.  So  what  did  he  give   them   in,  with   and  under  the  bread?     He 

gave  them    his   body  to   eat. 

12.  And    what    did    he    give    them    in,    with    and    under    the    cup    or 

wine?     He  gave  them   his  blood  to  drink. 

13.  So  what  is  united  with  the  bread  in  the  holy  communion?     His 

body. 

14.  And  what  is  united  with   the  wine?     His  blood. 

15.  (397)     "How   are  the  earthly   and  the  heavenly  elements  in  the 

Holy  Supper  united?"     "They  are  sacramentally  united." 

16.  That  means  they  are  united  during  the  celebration.     Before  the 

celebration  of  the  holy  sacrament,  the  bread  is  mere  bread 
and  the  wine  is  mere  wine.  And  so  after  the  celebration, 
what  is  left  of  the  earthly  elements,  are  mere  bread  and 
wine.  But  when  is  the  Lord's  body  and  blood  in,  with  and 
under  the  bread  and  wine?  During  the  celebration  of  the 
holy  sacrament. 

17.  (398)      "What  follows  from  this  sacramental  union?"     "That  each 

communicant  in,  with  and  under  the  bread  and  wine,  truly 
receives  the   body  and   blood   of  Christ." 

18.  All   who   go   to   communion   receive   the    same  objects,   although 

not  all  receive  the  same  blessings.  It  is  the  same  with  the 
preaching  of  the  Word  of  God.  If  a  true  believer  and  a 
rank  unbeliever  are  in  church  when  the  Word  of  God  is 
preached,  what  do  they  both  hear?  They  both  hear  the 
same  Word  of  God. 

19.  Yes,  but  they  do  not  both  receive  the   same  blessing.     So  with 

the  holy  communion.  Our  faith  does  not  make  the  sacra- 
ment, but  what  does  faith  enable  us  to  do?  Faith  enables 
us  to  enjoy  the  blessings  of  the  sacrament. 

20.  (399)      "In  what  manner  do  we  eat  and  drink  the  body  and  blood 

of  Christ  in.  with  and  imder  the  liread  and  wine?"  "Not  in 
a  figurative  and  natural,  but  in  a  real  and  heavenly  manner." 


346  Lesson  loi. 

21.  Many  denominations,  such  as  the  Methodists,  Pi-esbyterians,  Bap- 

tists and,  in  fact,  all  the  Reformed  churches,  teach  that  we 
receive  the  Lord's  body  and  blood,  not  in  a  real,  but  in  a 
figurative  manner.  They  say  the  bread  in  the  Holy  Sup- 
per merely  represents,  or  is  a  symbol,  or  picture,  of  Christ's 
body,  and  the  wine  is  a  mere  representation  of  Christ's 
blood.  But  if  this  were  the  case,  Christ  would  surely  have 
said:  "this  represents  my  body;  this  is  a  symbol  of  my 
blood."     But  what  did  he  say?     He  said:    "This  is  my  body." 

22.  No,  we  do  not  receive  Christ's  body  and   blood  in  a  figurative, 

but  in  what  manner?     In   a   real   manner. 

23.  On  this  account,  what  does  our  Catechism  say  in  answer  to  the 

question:  What  is  the  sacrament  of  the  altar?  (388). 
"It  Is  the  true  body  and  blood  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
under  the  bread  and  wine,  for  us  Christians  to  eat  and 
to   drink,    Instituted    by   Christ   Himself." 

24.  "True"  here  means  real.     But  our  question  399  wards  off  another 

wrong  notion  concerning  the  holy  supper.  It  is  not  only 
wrong  to  say  that  we  receive  Christ's  body  and  blood  in  a 
figurative  manner,  but  what  other  notion  is  equally  wrong? 
That  we  receive  the  Lord's  body  and  blood  In  a  natural 
manner. 

25.  Christ's  body  and  blood  are  not  natural  food  for  the  nourishing 

of  our  bodies,  such  as  bread  and  wine  are,  and  so  we  can 
not  receive,  eat  or  drink  them  as  we  would  other  food. 
We  receive  them,  not  in  a  natural,  but  in  what  kind  of 
manner?     A    heavenly  manner. 

26.  That  is,  in  a   manner  that  is  above  nature,  mysterious   and  in- 

comprehensible. Can  we  understand  just  how  we  receive 
the  Lord's  body  and  blood  in  the  holy  communion?  No, 
we  cannot. 

27.  This    is    one    of   the   mysteries    of   our    Christian    religion.     Just 

as  we  cannot  understand  how  there  can  be  one  God,  and 
yet  three  persons  in  the  Trinity,  and  how  Christ  is  both 
God  and  man  in  one  person,  so  we  cannot  understand  just 
how  Christ  gives  us  his  body  to  eat  and  his  blood  to  drink 
in  the  holy  communion.  Is  it  necessary  for  us  to  under- 
stand  this  mystery?     No,   it    is   not. 

28.  But  what  is  necessary  when  Christ  so  plainly  says:    this  is  my 

body,  this  is  my  blood?     That  we  believe  it. 

29.  So  what  do  we  believe  concerning  the  holy  sacrament?     That  it 

is  the  true  body  and  blood  of  the  Lord. 

30.  (400)     "How  do  we  prove  this?"     Give  the  first  proof.     "1.    The 

words  of  institution  are  clear  and  plain,  and  must  therefore 
be  understood   in   their  proper,   or  literal,  sense." 

31.  These  words   are  as  plain   as  words   can  be,  and  we  must  take 

the  Lord  at  his  word.  He  certainly  was  able  to  speak  so 
that  he  could  be  understood,  and  he  certainly  was  willing 
to  do  so.  How,  then,  should  we  understand  these  words? 
We  should  understand  them  just  as  they  read. 

32.  Now  give  the  second  proof.     "2.    What  Christ  promises,  that   He 

also  can  and  will  give." 

33.  Why  do  we  believe  he  is  able  to  give  what  he  promises?     Be- 

cause he  is  almighty. 

34.  And  why  do  we  believe  he  is  willing  to  do  so?     Because  he  is 

truthful. 

35.  Read  Rom.  3,  3.     "For  what  If  some  did  not  believe?  shall  their 

unbelief  make  the  faith  of  God  without  effect?" 


LESSON    lOI.  347 

36.  Repeat  also  Ezek.  12,  25.  "The  word  that  I  shall  speak  shall 
come  to  pass;  it  shall  be  no  more  prolonged:  for  in  your 
days,  O  rebellious  house,  will  I  say  the  word,  and  will  per- 
form it,  saith  the  Lord  God." 

.37.  Give  the  third  proof.  "3.  Paul  calls  the  bread  the  communion  of 
the  body,  and  the  cup  the  communion  of  the  blood  of  Christ; 
hence  a   union   between   both   must  exist." 

38.  Repeat  1  Cor.  10,  16.     "The  cup  of  blessing  which  we  bless,   is  it 

not  the  communion  of  the  blood  of  Christ?  The  bread  which 
we  break,  is  it  not  the  communion  of  the  body  of  Christ." 

39.  Give  the  fourth  proof.     "4.  The  holy  supper  as  a  sacrament  of  the 

New  Testament  cannot  merely  typify  something,  but  must 
actually   give  something." 

40.  The   Old   Testament  was  a  time  of  signs  and  symbols.     So   the 

paschal  lamb  was  a  type  and  figure  of  Christ.  So  also  was 
the  brazen  serpent,  and  so  were  the  various  sacrifices. 
But  we  are  no  longer  in  the  Old  Testament,  in  the  time  of 
types  and  figures  and  symbols,  but  in  the  New  Testament, 
the  time  of  fulfillment,  as  Christ  plainly  says,  Mark  14,  24. 
"He  said  unto  them,  this  is  my  blood  of  the  New  Testament 
which   is  shed  for  many." 

41.  Also  Luke  22,  20.     "This  cup  is  the  New  Testament  in  my  blood 

which   is  shed  for  you." 

42.  Read   also   Col.   2,   17.      'Which   are  a   shadow  of  things  to  come, 

but  the  body   is  in   Christ." 

43.  All   the    sacrifices    and    ceremonies    of   the    Old    Testament   were 

like  the  shadow  that  goes  before  the  body.  But  when 
Christ  came  there  was  no  longer  need  of  shadows  to  repre- 
sent Him.  Read  also  Heb.  10,  1.  "The  law  having  a  shadow 
of  good  things  to  come,  and  not  the  very  image  of  the 
things,  can  never  with  those  sacrifices  which  they  offered 
year  by  year  continually  make  the  comers  thereunto  perfect." 

44.  Now  give  the  fifth  proof.     "5.      Unbelieving  communicants  become 

guilty  of  the  body  and  blood  of  the  Lord,  because  they  do 
not  discern  these  from  other  food;  hence  all  communicants 
must  actually  receive  Christ's  body  and  blood." 

45.  Repeat   1    Cor.    11,    27-29.      "Wherefore   whosoever  shall    eat   this 

bread,  and  drink  this  cup  of  the  Lord,  unworthily,  shall  be 
guilty  of  the  body  and  blood  of  the  Lord.  But  let  a  man 
examine  himself,  and  so  let  him  eat  of  that  bread  and  drink 
of  that  cup.  For  he  that  eateth  and  drinketh  unworthily, 
eateth  and  drinketh  damnation  to  himself,  not  discerning 
the    Lord's   body." 

46.  What  does   the  apostle  here   say  the   unworthy  communicant   is 

guilty  of?     He  is  guilty  of  the  body  and   blood  of  the   Lord. 

47.  That  is,  he  sins  not  against  mere  bread  and  wine,   but  against 

what  does  he  sin?  He  sins  against  the  body  and  blood  of 
the  Lord. 

48.  But  how  could   he  sin  against  the  body  and   blood  of  the  Lord 

if  they  were  not  present?  The  apostle  even  says:  "He  that 
eateth  and  drinketh  unworthily  eateth  and  drinketh  damna- 
tion to  himself,  not  discerning  the  Lord's  body."  That  is 
when  a  man  receives  the  holy  communion  without  making  a 
distinction  between  it  and  ordinary  food,  when  he  eats  the 
bread  as  though  it  were  mere  bread  and  drinks  the  wine 
as  if  it  were  mere  wine,  what  is  the  result  of  such  eating  and 
drinking?   Such  a  man  eats  and  drinks  damnation  to  himself. 


348  LESSON  1 02. 

49.  (401)     "Must  we  not  then  with  the  Papists  accept  tliat  through 

the  consecration  the  bread  and  wine  are  changed  into  the 
body  and  blood  of  Christ?"  "By  no  means;  for  Christ  says 
nothing  of  the  kind:  and  Paul,  even  after  the  consecration, 
speaks  of  bread   and  wine." 

50.  By  Papists  we  here  mean  the  Roman  Catholics.     They  teach  that 

by  the  blessing  of  the  priest  the  bread  is  changed  into  tht 
body  and  the  wine  is  changed  into  the  blood  of  Christ.  Why 
do  we  hold  this  to  be  false?  Because  Christ  does  not  say: 
this  is  changed  into  my  body  and  blood. 

51.  If  he   meant  this   he   would   have   said   so.     And   what  does   St. 

Paul  speak  of  after  the  bread  and  wine  are  blessed?  He 
calls  it  bread  and  wine. 

52.  Let  us  hear  his  Avords,  1  Cor.  10,   16.  17.     "The  cup  of  blessing 

which  we  bless,  is  it  not  the  communion  of  the  blood  of 
Christ?  The  bread  which  we  bless,  is  it  not  the  communion 
of  the  body  of  Christ?  For  we  being  many  are  one  bread, 
and  one  body:   for  we  are  all   partakers  of  that  one  bread." 

53.  Also    1    Cor.    11.    2::!.    26-28.      "I    have    received    of    the    Lord    that 

which  also  I  delivered  unto  you,  that  the  Lord  Jesus  the 
same  night  in  which  he  was  betrayed  took  bread.  .  .  For 
as  often  as  ye  eat  of  this  bread,  and  drink  of  this  cup,  ye 
do  shew  the  Lord's  death  till  he  come.  Wherefore  whoso- 
ever shall  eat  this  bread,  and  drink  this  cup  of  the  Lord 
unworthily,  shall  be  guilty  of  the  body  and  blood  of  the 
Lord." 


LESSON    102.     WHAT   IS  THE   BENEFIT  OF  SUCH    EATING 
AND    DRINKING? 

(Questions   402-406). 

The  first  important  question  concerning  the  Lord's  Supper  is: 
What  is  the  sacrament  of  the  Altar?  What  answer  does  the 
Catechism  give  to  this  question?  (:]88).  "It  is  the  true  body 
and  blood  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  under  the  bread  and 
wine  for  us  Christians  to  eat  and  drink,  instituted  by  Christ 
himself." 

The  second  important  question  is  the  one  with  which  our  lesson 
today  begins.  Repeat  the  question.  "What  is  the  benefit 
of  such   eating   and  drinking?" 

The  answer  to  the  first  question  tells  us  what  the  I^ord's  Supper 
is.  and  what  does  the  answer  to  the  second  question  tell  us? 
It  tells  us  the  blessings  of  the  Holy  Supper. 

(402)  'What  is  the  benefit  of  such  eating  and  drinking?"  "That 
is  shown  us  by  these  words:  "Given  and  shed  for  you  for 
the  remission  of  sins:"  namely,  that  in  the  sacrament  for- 
giveness of  sins,  life  and  salvation  are  given  us  through 
these  words.  For  where  there  is  forgiveness  of  sins  there 
is  also  life  and  salvation." 

By  what  words  are  the  blessings  of  the  sacrament  shown  us? 
By  the  words:  "Given  and  shed  for  you  for  the  remission 
of  sins." 

Where  do  these  words  occur?  Christ  himself  uses  them  in  the 
words  of  the   institution. 

When  Christ  gave  the  disciples  the  bread  what  did  he  say? 
He  said:     "Take,  eat,  this  is  my  body  which  is  given  for  you." 


LESSON  1 02.  349 

8.  How  was  Christ's  body  given  for  us?     It  was  given  for  us  into 

death. 

9.  Why  did  he  die  for  us?     That  he  might  make  atonement  for  our 

sins. 

10.  Yes,  he  gave  His  body,  that  is.  Himself,  as  a  sacrifice  for  our 

sins.  What  did  he  say  when  he  gave  the  disciples  the  cup? 
He  said:  "Drink  ye  all  of  it;  this  cup  is  the  new  testament 
in  my  blood,  which   is  shed  for  the  remission  of  sins." 

11.  How  did  Christ  shed  his  Ijlood?     He  shed  his  blood  when  he  was 

crowned  with  thorns,  scourged  and  nailed  to  the  cross,  and 
when  his  side  was  pierced. 

12.  For   whom   did   he   shed   his   blood   and   thus   offer   himself  as   a 

sacrifice?     He  shed  his  blood  for  us. 

13.  What  object  had  he  in  shedding  his  blood?     He  shed   His  blood 

for  us  for  the   remission   of   sins. 

14.  In  what  words  does  .Jesus  say  this?     In  the  words:    "Given  and 

shed  for  you   for  the   remission   of  sins." 

15.  Then,  according  to  the  Catechism,  what  is  given  us  through  these 

words?     Forgiveness  of  sins,   life  and  salvation. 

16.  But  these   words   only    speak   of   the   forgiveness   of   sins.      How 

does  the  Catechism  come  to  mention  also  life  and  salvation? 
Where  there  is  forgiveness  of  sins  there  is  also  life  and 
salvation. 

17.  Yes,    these    things    are    intimately    connected    with    each    other. 

Where  the  one  is  there  the  others  are  also.  For  when  our 
sins  are  forgiven,  then  we  are  God's  dear  children,  we 
arise  from  spiritual  death  to  life.  We  begin  to  live  as 
God's  children.  And  what  kind  of  life  do  God's  children 
begin  to  live?     They  begin  to   live  a  holy  life. 

18.  And  for  such  holy  living  the  Lord's   Supper  gives  both  willing- 

ness and  power.  Who  must  give  us  both  willingness  and 
power  for  a  holy  life?     God    himself. 

19.  So  we  read  in  Phil.  2,  1.'^.     "For  it  is  God  which  worketh  in  you 

both  to  will  and  to  do  of  his  good  pleasure." 

20.  What  is  the  only  thing  that  can  keep  us  out  of  heaven?     The 

only  thing  that  can   keep   us  out  of  heaven   is  sin. 

21.  When  sin  is  forgiven,  as  it  is  in  the  Holy  Communion,  what  is 

the  blessed  result?     The  result  is  eternal  salvation. 

22.  (403)     "How    do    these    words:     'For    you'    show    this    benefit?" 

"They  teach  me  that  Christ  by  his  sufferings  and  death  won 
forgiveness  of  sins  also  for  me  as  certainly  as  I  also  in  the 
Holy  Supper  receive   His  body  and   His  blood." 

23.  Christ  says:    "This  do  in  remembrance  of  me."     Of  whom  does 

the  Lord's  Supper  most  forcibly  remind  us?  It  reminds  us 
of  the  Savior. 

24.  Of   what    particular   act  of  Christ   does   it   remind   us?     That    he 

suffered  and  died  for  us. 

25.  For  what  purpose  did  he  suffer  and   die?     For  the   remission   of 

sins. 

26.  What  did  Christ  win  or  secure  by  his  sufferings  and  death?     He 

won   the  forgiveness  of  sins. 

27.  For  whom  did  Christ  win  forgiveness  of  sins?     For  all  men. 

28.  But  it  is  very  important  that  you  include  yourself  when  you  say 

Christ  secured  forgiveness  of  sins  for  all  men.  Now  when 
you  receive  the  very  body  which  was  given  for  you  into 
death  and  the  very  Ijlood  whicli  was  shed  for  you.  of  what 
may  you  be  sure?  I  may  be  sure  that  my  sins  are  forgiven, 
because  Christ  died  for  me  also. 


350  LESSON  1 02. 

29.  Here  is  the  very  purchase  money  that  was  paid  for  the  remission 

of  my  sins.  Of  what  may  each  communicant  then  personally 
be  assured?  That  his  sins  are  forgiven  because  Christ  also 
died  for  him. 

30.  (404)     "What   does    Christ    therefore    through    these    words    give 

us  in  the  Holy  Supper  with  His  body  and- blood?"  "Forgive- 
ness of  sins,  life  and  salvation.  'For  where  there  is  forgive- 
ness of  sins  there  is  also   life  and  salvation.'" 

31.  What  does'  Christ  speak  of  in  the  words  of  the  institution,  es- 

pecially in  connection  with  the  shedding  of  His  blood?  That 
it  was  shed  for  the  remission  of  sin. 

32.  This   is  the  precious  treasure   which  we  poor   sinners   so  much 

stand  in  need  of  continually.  Can  you  tell  me  why?  Because 
we  daily  sin  much  and  deserve  nothing  but  punishment. 

33.  But  what  do  we  still  believe  in  reference  to  our  sins?     We   be- 

lieve that  God  will  forgive  them. 

34.  Upon  what  do  we  base  this   faith?     Upon   the  fact  that   Christ 

suffered  and  died  for  us. 

35.  And  now  as  most  precious  pledges  of  this  fact  Christ  gives  us 

in  the  Holy  Supper  His  body  to  eat  and  his  blood  to  drink. 
And  if  our  sins  are  forgiven,  in  what  relation  do  we  stand 
to  God?     We  are   His   dear  children. 

36.  And   how   will   we   show   this?      By    living    according    to    his   com- 

mandments. 

37.  Read  the  passage,  John  15,   4.   5.     "Abide   in    me,   and    I    in  you. 

As  the  branch  cannot  bear  fruit  of  itself,  except  it  abide  in 
the  vine;  no  more  can  ye,  except  ye  abide  in  me.  I  am 
the  vine,  ye  are  the  branches:  He  that  abideth  in  me;  and 
I  in  him,  the  same  bringeth  forth  much  fruit:  for  without 
me  ye  can   do   nothing." 

38.  Christ,  it  is  true,  has  withdrawn   his  visible  presence  from   us: 

but  he  i-s  still  with  us,  and  how  does  the  Lord's  Supper 
most  forcibly  remind  us  of  his  presence?  He  gives  us  in 
the  Holy  Supper  his  body  to  eat  and   his  blood  to  drink. 

39.  Yes,    the   Savior   is   continually   with    His   people,   and    this    is    a 

most  blessed  comfort  in  all  their  trials.  Read  what  he 
says.  Matt.  28,  20.  "Lo,  I  am  with  you  alway  even  unto 
the  end  of  the  world." 

40.  Yes,  we  have  joy  and  peace  in  his  continued   presence  with  us. 

We  take  pleasure  in  doing  his  will  and  what  do  we  hope 
for  in  the  end?     We  hope  for  eternal  life. 

41.  In  giving  the  benefits  of  the  Sacrament  the  Catechism  mentions 

forgiveness  of  sins,  life  and  salvation,  and  why  are  these 
things  mentioned  together?  Where  there  is  forgiveness  of 
sins  there   is  also  life  and   salvation. 

42.  (405)      "Why  do  we  believe  this  so  firmly?"    "Because  Christ  him- 

self says:    'Given  and  shed  for  you  for  the  remission  of  sin.'  " 

43.  This  is  Christ's  own  word  and,  therefore,  perfectly  reliable.     His 

word  is  absolute  truth.  When  did  he  utter  these  words? 
Shortly   before   his   death. 

44.  They  are,   so   to   speak.   His   parting  words.     He   speaks   of   His 

blood  as  the  blood  of  the  new  testament.  And  how  should 
we  regard  the  words  of  a  testament?    As  sacred  and  holy. 

45.  Yes,  and  this  testament  is  sealed  with  the  blood  of  the  Son  of 

God.     What  precious  treasure   does  the   Savior  leave   us   in 
his  testament?     He   leaves  us  the  forgiveness  of  sins. 
AC).      (406)      "What  follows   when   we  have  forgiveness  of  sins?"   "Life 
and   salvation." 


LESSON    103.  351 

i1.  Repeat  Isa.  00.  24.  "The  inhabitant,  shall  not  say,  I  am  sick: 
the  people  that  dwell  therein  shall  be  forgiven  their  in- 
iquity." 

48.  When  our  sins  are  forgiven  we  are  delivered  from  spiritual  sick- 

ness. Our  spiritual  life  is  assured  and  strengthened.  Re- 
peat also  Rom.  4,  7.  8.  "Blessed  are  those  whose  iniquities 
are  forgiven,  whose  sins  are  covered.  Blessed  is  the  man  to 
whom   the   Lord   imputeth   not  sin." 

49.  St.   Paul  takes   this   from   the   32nd  Psalm,  verses   one   and   two. 

"Blessed  is  he  whose  transgression  is  forgiven,  whose  sin 
is  covered.  Blessed  is  the  man  unto  whom  the  Lord  im- 
puteth not   iniquity,  and   in   whose  spirit  there  is  no  guile." 

50.  Upon  what  do  our  happiness  in  this  world  and  our  salvation  in 

the  world  to  come  depend?  It  all  depends  on  the  forgive- 
ness of  sins. 

51.  And  where  are  we  most  positively,  assured  of  this  forgiveness? 

In  the  Lord's  Supper. 


LESSON    103.      HOW    CAN    BODILY    EATING    AND    DRINKING    DO 
SUCH    GREAT   THINGS? 

(Questions   407-411). 

1.  What    are    the    earthly    elements    in    the    Lord's    Supper?      They 

are  bread  and  wine. 

2.  What  are  the  heavenly  elements?     They  are  the  body  and  blood 

of  Christ. 

3.  In    what    words    are    the    benefits    of    such    eating    and    drinking 

pointed  out?  In  the  words:  "Given  and  shed  for  you  for 
the   remission    of  sins." 

4.  And  what  are  these  benefits?     They  are  the  forgiveness  of  sins, 

life  and   salvation. 

5.  (407)     "Why  do  you  go  to  the  Holy  Supper?"  "That  I  may  refresh 

my  hungry  and  thirsty  soul  through  the  enjoyment  of  the 
blessings  of  Christ,  remember  his  death,  and  strengthen  my 
faith,  as  also  confess   Him   before   men." 

6.  What  do  you  say  of  the  condition  of  your  soul  in  these  words? 

I   say  it   is  hungry  and  thirsty. 

7.  Hunger    and    thirst    are    powerful    desires    of   our   bodily   nature. 

What  do  our  bodies  hunger  for?     They  hunger  for  food. 

8.  And  what  do  they  thirst  for?     They  thirst  for  drink. 

9.  And  so   for  what  has   the  soul   of  a  penitent  sinner  an   earnest 

desire,  according  to  question  407?  It  has  an  earnest  desire 
for  the  enjoyment  of  the  blessings  of  Christ. 

10.  And  what  are  the  blessings  which  Christ  secured  for  us?     The 

forgiveness  of  sins,   life  and  salvation. 

11.  How    did    Christ   secure   these    blessings    for    us?      Through    His 

sufferings  and  death. 

12.  And  where  are  these  blessings  offered  to  us?     They  are  offered 

to  us  in  the  Holy  Supper. 

13.  And   how   are  they  accepted   by   us?     They  are  accepted    by   us 

through  faith. 

14.  Here  .Jesus  invites  us  to  eat  his  body  and  drink  his  blood.     Of 

what  are  these  heavenly  gifts  to  be  precious  pledges?  They 
are  to  be  pledges  of  the  forgiveness  of  sins,  life  and  sal- 
vation. 


362  LESSON  103. 

15.  Read  Matt.   11,  28,  and  see  how  the  blessed  Savior  invites  the 

poor  troubled  souls  to  come  to  Him  for  comfort.  "Come 
unto  me  all  ye  that  labor  and  are  heavily  laden,  and  I  will 
give  you  rest." 

16.  We  eat  the  Lord's   body  and  drink  His   blood  really  and  truly, 

but  we  are  to  feed  upon  Him  not  only  with  our  mouths,  but 
with  this  bodily  eating  and  drinking  we  are  also  to  feed  on 
Him  by  faith.  This  is  the  spiritual  eating  of  His  body,  and 
drink,ing  of  His  blood  which  is  spoken  of  in  John  6.  55. 
"My  flesh  is  meat  indeed,  and  my  blood   is  drink  indeed." 

17.  What  are  we  to  remember  or  think  of  when  we  go  to  the  holy 

supper?     We  are  to  remember  His  death. 

18.  That  is,  that  He  died  for  our  sins.     And  what  effect  is  this  to 

have  on  our  faith?     It  is  to  strengthen  our  faith. 

19.  Just  as  food  and   drink  strengthen   the  body,   so  this   heavenly 

food  is  to  strengthen  our  spiritual  life,  that  is,  our  faith. 
Repeat  1  Cor.  11,  26.  "For  as  often  as  ye  eat  this  bread,  and 
drink  this  cup,  ye  do  show  the  Lord's  death  till  he  come." 

20.  Because  it  reminds  us  of  the  Lord's  death,  what  is  the  sacrament 

often  called?     It  is  called  the  sacrament  of  his  death. 

21.  Read  Ps.  Ill,  4.     "He  hath   made  his  wonderful  works  to  be  re- 

membered:  the  Lord   is  gracious  and  full   of  compassion." 

22.  Tlie  most  wonderful  work  of  God  is  the  work  of  redemption,  and 

where  does  He  powerfully  remind  us  of  this  work?     In  the 
holy  communion. 
2.3.     And  what  is  mentioned  in  question  407  as  the  last  object  why 
you  go  to  the  Lord's  Supper?     That   I   may  confess  Him  be- 
fore men. 

24.  The  necessity  and  importance  of  such  confession  is  pointed  out 

to  us  by  the  Savior  Himself  in  Matt.  10,  .32-33.  "Whosoever 
therefore  shall  confess  me  before  men,  him  will  I  confess 
also  before  my  Father  which  is  in  heaven.  But  whosoever 
shall  deny  me  before  men,  him  shall  I  also  deny  before  my 
Father   which    is    in    heaven." 

25.  The  very  fact  that  we  go  to  communion  is  a  public  confession. 

What  do  all  those  profess  to  be  who  go  to  the  Lord's  table? 
They  profess  to  be  Christians. 

26.  What  faith  do  they  profess?     They  profess  the  Christian  faith. 

27.  When  I  go  to  communion  with  a  congregation  1  thereby  confess 

I  hold  the  same  faith  that  they  do.  I  cannot  therefore  go  to 
communion  with  people  who  do  not  believe  at  all  or  do  not 
believe  as  I  do.  If  I  went  to  communion  with  those  who 
hold  a  false  faith,  what  impression  would  I  make?  That  I 
believed  as  they  do. 

28.  Read  2  Cor.  6,  14-18.     "Be  ye  not  unequally  yoked  together  with 

unbelievers:  for  what  fellowship  hath  righteousness  with 
unrighteousness?  and  what  communion  hath  light  with  dark- 
ness? And  what  concord  hath  Christ  with  Belial?  or  what 
part  hath  he  that  believeth  with  an  infidel?  And  what 
agreement  hath  the  temple  of  God  with  idols?  for  ye  are 
the  temple  of  the  living  God;  as  God  hath  said,  I  will  dwell 
in  them,  and  they  shall  be  my  people.  Wherefore  come  out 
from  among  them,  and  be  ye  separate,  saith  the  Lord,  and 
and  touch  not  the  unclean  thing;  and  I  will  receive  you. 
And  will  be  a  Father  unto  you.  and  ye  shall  be  my  sons  and 
daughters,  saith  the   Lord   Almighty." 

29.  Now  let  us  hear  again  what  are  the  benefits  of  the  Lord's  Sup- 

per?    Forgiveness   of   sins,   life  and   salvation. 


LESSON  103.  353 

30.  (408)    "How  can  bodily  eating  and  drinking  do  such  great  things?" 

"It  is  not  the  eating  and  drinking,  indeed,  that  does  them,  but 
the  words  here  written,  "Given  and  shed  for  you  for  the 
remission  of  sins,"  which  words,  beside  the  bodily  eating 
and  drinking,  are  the  chief  thing  in  the  Sacrament;  and  he 
that  believes  these  words,  has  what  they  say  and  express 
even  forgiveness  of  sins." 

31.  What  do  we  eat  and  drink  in  the  Lord's  Supper?     We  eat  and 

drink  bread  and  wine. 

32.  And  what  do  we  eat  and  drink  in  and  with  the  bread  and  wine? 

We  eat  and  drink  the  body  and  blood  of  the  Lord. 

33.  Who  eats  and  drinks  these  things  in  the  Lord's  Supper?    All  who 

go  to  communion. 

34.  What   are    the    great    things    spoken    of    when    the    question    is 

asked:  how  can  bodily  eating  and  drinking  do  such  great 
things?    The  forgiveness  of  sins,  life  and  salvation. 

35.  What  does  the  Catechism  say  of  bodily  eating  and  drinking  in 

reference  to  these  great  things?  It  is  not  the  eating  and 
drinking,   indeed,  that  does  them. 

36.  Mere  bodily  eating  and  drinking  cannot  secure  the  forgiveness 

of  sins,  life  and  salvation.  It  is  not  the  eating  and  drink- 
ing which  gives  the  holy  communion  its  wonderful  power; 
but  what  is  it?  It  is  the  words  here  written:  "Given  and 
shed  for  you  for  the  forgiveness  of  sins." 

37.  So  we  saw  also  with  reference  to  Holy  Baptism.     Give  the  an- 

swer to  the  question:  How  can  water  do  such  great  things? 
(358).     "It  is  not  the  water  indeed  that  does  them,  etc." 

38.  What  is  it,  then,  that  gives  Baptism  its  great  power?     It  is  the 

Word  of  God  that  is  in  and  with  the  water. 

39.  So  also  in  the  Holy  Communion;  what  is  it  that  makes  the  Lord's 

Supper  such  a  blessed  thing?  The  words  here  written: 
"Given  and  shed  for  you  for  the  remission  of  sins." 

40.  And  on  that  account,  what  is  here  said  of  these  words?     They 

are  beside  the  bodily  eating  and  drinking  the  chief  thing 
in  the  sacrament. 

41.  What  do  these  words  say  and  express?     They  say  and  express 

the  forgiveness  of  sins. 

42.  And  who  has  the  forgiveness  of  sins  in  the  Holy  Supper?     He 

that  believes  these  words. 

43.  What   is   necessary,   then,   on   our   part,   in   order  that   we   may 

really  enjoy  the  blessings  of  the  sacrament?  Faith  is 
necessary. 

44.  (409)     "What    gives    the    Holy    Supper    this    wonderful    power?" 

"Eating  and  drinking,  indeed,  does  not  do  it,  but  the  words 
here  written.  Given  and  shed  for  you  for  the  remission  of 
sins." 

45.  (410)     "How  are   these  words  to   be   considered?"     "Beside   the 

bodily  eating  and  drinking  they  are  the  chief  thing  in  the 
Sacrament." 

46.  (411)     "What  followed  from  it?"     "He  that  believes  these  words 

has  what  they  say  and  express,  even  forgiveness  of  sins." 


354  LESSON  104. 

LESSON    104.      WHO    RECEIVES    THE    SACRAMENT    WORTHILY? 

(Questions  412-420). 

1.  We   have   seen   what  the   Sacrament  of  the   Altar  is,   what  its 

benefits  are,  and  what  gives  it  this  wonderful  power.  There 
still  remains  one  very  important  question  with  reference  to 
the  Lord's  Supper,  and  what  has  that  reference  to?  It  has 
reference  to  the  worthy  reception  of  the  Holy  Supper. 

2.  This  is  a  very  important  question;    for,  as  we  have  already  seen, 

the  blessings  of  the  Sacrament  cannot  be  secured  by  mere 
bodily  eating  and  drinking.  It  depends  altogether  upon 
how  we  eat  and  drink.  We  are  to  be  guests  at  the  Lord's 
table.  As  what  should  we  be  eager  to  appear  at  His  table? 
We  should  be  anxious  to  appear  as  worthy  guests. 

3.  (412)     "Who  then  receives  such  Sacrament  worthily?"     "Fasting 

and  bodily  preparation  is  indeed  a  fine  outward  training: 
but  he  is  truly  worthy  and  well  prepared,  who  has  faith  in 
these  words,  "Given  and  shed  for  you  for  the  remission  of 
sins."  But  he  that  does  not  believe  these  words,  or  doubts, 
is  unworthy  and  unprepared.  For  the  words,  "For  you" 
requires  truly  believing  hearts." 

4.  We  are   here  told  of  an  outward   training,  or   preparation.     In 

what  does  this  consist?  It  consists  in  fasting  and  bodily 
preparation. 

5.  (413)     "What,  then,  is  not  sufficient  unto  a  worthy  reception  of 

the  Holy  Supper?"  "Fasting  and  bodily  preparation;  or,  to 
keep  one's  self  sober  and  temperate  beforehand  and  then 
in  a  becoming  manner  to  appear  at  the  altar." 

6.  What,  according  to  this  answer,  is  meant  by  fasting?     To  keep 

oneself  sober  and  temperate  beforehand. 

7.  To  fast  means   to   keep   from   eating.     Some   people  keep   from 

eating  anything  on  the  day  of  communion  until  after  they 
have  been  to  the  Lord's  Supper.  In  the  Roman  Catholic 
church  this  is  made  a  law.  But  we  do  not  make  it  a  law. 
We  do  not  say  people  must  fast  before  going  to  communion, 
because  the  Lord  nowhere  requires  this.  What  does  the 
Catechism,  in  question  412,  say  of  fasting?  It  is  a  fine  out- 
ward training. 

8.  Yes,  but  not  a  necessity.     People  may  fast  if  they  feel  that  this 

adds  to  their  devotion,  but  we  do  not  insist  on  fasting,  as 
though  this  were  necessary.  What  else  does  question  413 
say  as  to  how  we  should  appear  at  the  altar?  We  should 
appear  in  a  becoming  manner. 

9.  If  you  were  invited  to  be  my  guest  for  dinner,  or  supper,  would 

you  appear  just  as  you  come  from  the  field  or  the  work- 
shop in  your  everyday  clothes?  No,  I  would  wash  and  dress 
first. 

10.  Much  more  should  we  be  careful  even  outwardly  to  appear  in  a 

becoming  manner  at  the  Lord's  table.  How  should  we  ap- 
pear outwardly?     Clean  and  tidy. 

11.  But,  children,  this   outward   preparation  is  not  the  main  thing. 

Most  of  you  will  appear  at  the  Lord's  table  in  new  clothes. 
Be  careful  not  to  look  upon  your  outward  appearance  as 
the  main  thing.  Tell  me  from  question  413  (not  from  the 
answer)  why  this  is  not  the  main  thing?  Because  it  is  not 
sufficient  for  the  worthy  reception  of  the  Holy  Supper. 


LESSON  104.  355 

12.  (414)     "Why  does  this  not  suffice?"    "Because  it  is  merely  '  a  fine 

outward  training,'  notwitiistanding  which  a  person  may  still 
not   be  a  Christian.'  " 

13.  What  may  be  a  person's  spiritual  condition  in  spite  of  such  out- 

ward training?     He  may  not  be  a   Christian. 

14.  Yes,    children,    you   know   that   fasting  and   new   clothes   do   not 

make  a  Christian.  The  true  preparation  for  a  worthy  re- 
ception of  the  holy  supper  is  not  outward,  but  what  is  it? 
It  is  inward. 

15.  Yes,  it  is  the  preparation  of  the  heart.    For  whilst  men  see  that 

only  which  is  before  the  eyes,  what  does  God  look  upon? 
He  looks  upon  the  heart. 

16.  (415)     "Who  then  is  worthy?"     "He  is  truly  worthy  and  well  pre- 

pared who  has  faith  in  these  words:  'Given  and  shed  for 
you  for  the  remission  of  sins.'  " 

17.  What  then  is  required  for  a  worthy  reception  of  the  Holy  Com- 

munion?    Faith  is  required. 

18.  Read  Heb.  11,  6,  the  first  half.     "But  without  faith    it   is  impos- 

sible to   please   Him." 

19.  What  must   we   have   faith   in?      We    must    have   faith    in    these 

words:    "Given  and  shed  for  you  for  the  remission  of  sins." 

20.  What  was  given  for  us?     Christ's  body  was  given  for  us. 

21.  How  was  his  body  given  for  us?     It  was  given  for  us  into  death. 

22.  And  what  was  shed  for  us?     Christ's  blood  was  shed  for  us. 

23.  For  what  purpose  was  his  body  given  and  his  blood  shed?     For 

the  remission  of  sins. 

24.  When   we   hear   these   words   in   the   holy   sTipper,   as   they   are 

spoken  by  the  pastor  when  he  distributes  the  holy  com- 
munion, how  should  we  regard  them?  We  should  regard 
them  as  true;    we  should  believe  them. 

25.  And  how  does  the  Lord  regard  all  those  who  believe  these  words? 

He  regards  them  as  worthy  guests  at  his  table. 

26.  (416)     "And  who  is  unworthy?"   "Whoever  does  not  believe  these 

words,  or  doubts." 

27.  (417)     "Why  so?"    "Because  these  words,  'For  you,'  require  truly 

believing  hearts." 

28.  When    the   Lord   says:      "For   you,"   He   is   speaking  to   each   in- 

dividual. And  how  should  each  regard  them?  Each  indi- 
vidual  should    regard  them  as  spoken  to   him  or  her. 

29.  What   kind   of  hearts   are   required   to   so   regard   them?     Truly 

believing   hearts. 

30.  If  a  man  does  not  believe  that  Christ  died  for  him,  and  that  he 

now  belongs  to  Christ,  and  should  live  to  His  glory  and 
according  to  His  commandments,  what  would  you  say  of 
such  a  guest  at  the  Lord's  table.     He  is  unworthy. 

31.  And  what  does  the  apostle  say  of  the  unworthy  communicant? 

1  Cor.  11,  27  and  29.  "Wherefore  whosoever  shall  eat  this 
bread,  and  drink  this  cup  of  the  Lord,  unworthily,  shall  be 
guilty  of  the  body  and  blood  of  the  Lord.  For  he  that  eateth 
and  drinketh  unworthily,  eateth  and  drinketh  damnation  to 
himself,  not  discerning  the  Lord's  body." 

32.  (418)     "Do   those   of  weak   faith    and   who   strive   against    doubt, 

also  belong  to  the  unworthy?"  "By  no  means;  for  Christ 
has  instituted  His  Holy  Supper  for  the.  very  purpose  of 
strengthening  our  weak  faith." 


356  LESSON  104. 

33.  When  a  man  is  troubled  with  doubts  this  is  no  sign  that  he  is 

no  Christian.  A  man  may  be  a  true  human  being,  and 
still  be  troubled  with  disease  and  pain.  So  when  a  person 
feels  his  weakness  of  faith,  and  strives  to  overcome  his 
doubts,  he  is  the  very  one  for  whom  the  Holy  Supper  was 
intended.  For,  for  what  purpose  did  Christ  institute  His 
Holy  Supper?  For  the  purpose  of  strengthening  our  weak 
faith. 

34.  Repeat  Isa.  42,  3.     "A  bruised  reed  shall   He  not  break,  and  the 

smoking  flax  shall   He  not  quench." 

35.  Read  also  Ps.  22,  26.    "The  meek  shall  eat  and  be  satisfied:  they 

shall  praise  the  Lord  that  seek  Him:  your  heart  shall  live 
forever." 

36.  Also   Matt.   11,   28.     "Come   unto    me   all   ye   that    labor  and   are 

heavy  laden,  and   I  will  give  you   rest." 

37.  Also  Job.  6,  37.     "All  that  the   Father  giveth    me  shall  come  to 

me;   and  him  that  cometh  to  Vne  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  put." 

38.  Also  Rom.  8,  32-34.     "He  that  spared   not  his  own  Son,  but  de- 

livered him  up  for  us  all,  how  shall  he  not  with  him  also 
freely  give  us  all  things."  Who  shall  lay  anything  to  the 
charge  of  God's  elect?  It  is  God  that  justifieth.  Who  is  he 
that  condemneth?  It  is  Christ  that  died,  yea  rather,  that  is 
risen  again,  who  is  even  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  who  also 
maketh    intercession  for  us." 

39.  (419)     "To  whom  should  the  Holy  Supper  be  administered?"   "To 

such  Christians  only,  who  can  examine  themselves,  as  to 
their  sins,  and  as  to  their  faith  in  Christ." 

40.  What  kind  of  people  should  we  admit  to  holy  communion?    Chris- 

tian people. 

41.  But  what  is  required  of  all  who  would  go  to  communion?     That 

they  examine  themselves  as  to  their  sins  and  as  to  their 
faith  in  Christ. 

42.  Repeat  1  Cor.  11,  28.     "Let  a   man  examine   himself,  and  so  let 

him  eat  of  that  bread  and  drink  of  that  cup." 

43.  Also  2  Cor.  13.   5.     "Examine  yourselves,  whether  ye   be   in  the 

faith;  prove  your  ownselves.  Know  ye  not  your  ownselves, 
how  that  Jesus  Christ  is  in  you,  except  ye  be  reprobates." 

44.  What   do  we  do  with   children  before  we  allow  them  to  go  to 

communion?    We  instruct  them  in  the  Catechism. 

45.  Yes,  we  teach  them  the  fundamental  principles  of  the  Christian 

religion,  so  that  they  may  be  able  to  do  what,  according  to 
the  apostle's  word?  That  they  may  be  able  to  examine 
themselves. 

46.  We   cannot   admit   everybody   and   anybody   to   communion.     As 

pastors  we  are  stewards  of  the  mysteries  of  God.  We  must 
have  a  reasonable  assurance  that  those  to  whom  we  give  the 
Holy  Sacrament  are  worthy.  Of  course,  we  cannot  judge 
their  hearts,  but  we  can  judge  their  confession,  and  their 
lives.  Therefore  we  require  that  all  who  wish  to  go  to 
communion  inform  the  pastor  of  their  intention  beforehand. 
What  does  the  Lord  say,  Matt.  7,  6?  "Give  not  that  which 
is  holy  unto  the  dogs,  neither  cast  ye  your  pearls  before 
swine,  lest  they  trample  them  under  their  feet,  and  turn 
again  and  rend  you," 


LESSON    104. 


357 


47.  Read  also  Matt.   5,  23-26.     "Therefore  if  thou   bring  thy  gift  to 

the  altar,  and  there  rememberest  that  thy  brother  hath 
aught  against  thee;  leave  there  thy  gift  before  the  altar, 
and  go  thy  way;  first  be  reconciled  to  thy  brother,  and 
then  come  and  offer  thy  gift.  Agree  with  thine  adversary 
quickly,  whilst  thou  art  in  the  way  with  him;  lest  at  any 
time  the  adversary  deliver  thee  to  the  judge,  and  the  judge 
deliver  thee  to  the  officer,  and  thou  be  cast  into  prison. 
Verily  I  say  unto  thee,  thou  shalt  by  no  means  come  out 
thence,  till  thou  hast  paid  the  uttermost  farthing." 

48.  Before    going    to    communion    we   should    be    reconciled    to    our 

enemies.  Where  we  have  wronged  anyone  we  should  ask 
their  pardon,  and  be  ready  to  forgive  all  who  have  wronged 
us.  Ouly  he  who  has  on  the  wedding  garment  of  true  faith 
is  a  worthy  guest  at  the  Lord's  table.  Read  Matt.  22,  11-13. 
"When  the  king  came  in  to  see  the  guests,  he  saw  there  a 
man  which  had  not  on  a  wedding  garment:  and  he  saith 
unto  him,  Friend,  how  earnest  thou  in  hither,  not  having  a 
wedding  garment?  And  he  was  speechless.  Then  said  the 
king  to  the  servants.  Bind  him  hand  and  foot,  and  take  him 
away,  and  cast  him  into  outer  darkness;  there  shall  be 
weeping  and  gnashing  of  teeth." 

49.  (420)     "How  often  should  we  commune?"     "Frequently:  as  often 

as  our  distressed  conscience  and  our  weak  faith  require  it." 

50.  How  often  is  the  Sacrament  of  Baptism  to  be  administered  to  a 

person?     Only  once. 

51.  But  what  about  the  Sacrament  of  the  Altar?     It  is  to   be  used 

often. 

52.  What  does  the  Savior  himself  say  about  this  in  1  Cor.,  chapter 

11.  the  latter  half  of  the  25th  verse?  "This  do  as  oft  as  ye 
drink  it  in  remembrance  of  me." 

53.  Read  what  the  apostle  Paul  says  in  the  26th  verse  of  the  same 

chapter.  "As  often  as  ye  eat  this  bread  and  drink  this  cup 
ye  do  shew  the  Lord's  death  till  he  come." 

54.  From  these  passages  we  see  that  we  should   go   to  the  Lord's 

Supper  frequently.  But  can  we  prescribe  just  how  often 
one  sjiould  commune?     No,  we  cannot. 

55.  Each  one  must  determine  this  for  himself.     "What  does  the  Cate- 

chism say  about  this  in  question  420?  We  should  go  as 
often  as  our  distressed  conscience  and  our  weak  faith  re- 
quire it. 

56.  In  the  early  church  the  Lord's  Supper  was  celebrated  every  time 

the  congregation  met  for  service.  In  some  congregations 
Holy  Communion  is  celebrated  once  a  month  and  on  all 
special  holidays.  In  most  congregations  it  is  celebrated  at 
least  twice  a  year.  Luther  said  four  times  a  year  would  not 
be  too  often.  Most  people  do  not  commune  often  enough. 
We  are  all  weak  in  the  faith  and  need  the  blessings  of  the 
sacrament.  Repeat  what  the  Apostle  says.  1  Cor.  10.  12. 
"Let  him  that  thinketh  he  standeth  take  heed  lest  he  fall." 


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